The cold snap predicted by meteorologists is the perfect time to remember some tips and tricks to adopt when getting behind the wheel in winter conditions. Temperatures below 0°, dead leaves still present on the roads, the risk of black ice and occasional fog patches are situations that every road user must be able to cope with. In order to get through the winter without a hitch on the roads, the Vias Institute reminds us of the 10 reflexes to adopt when driving your vehicle.
A hundred accidents per day in winter
Despite a lower presence of vulnerable road users and fewer trips, there are nearly 90 accidents with fatalities or injuries every day in winter. In more than 1 in 5 accidents (21%), the user is the only one involved and loses control of their vehicle.
Driving in winter is no picnic and it is essential to adapt your behavior to the weather conditions. Here are 10 reflexes to adopt when driving your vehicle.
1) Completely defrost your windshield
Before leaving, it is important to completely defrost all the windows, paying particular attention to the windshield. In addition to the fine of 174 euros, removing the layer of ice on only about twenty cm2 clearly harms the driver’s visibility and reduces his field of vision.
2) Wear comfortable clothes and/or shoes
Driving with a heavy down jacket and/or snow boots can quickly make the journey uncomfortable and can even be dangerous because the driver’s movements will be limited.
3) Check the weather conditions
The IRM often issues weather alerts in case of difficult conditions and it is especially important to take this into account when starting your car engine.
4) Change your driving style
Driving style must change when winter sets in. Following the vehicle in front too closely, for example, is a habit that should be avoided in all seasons, but particularly in winter. The reason is simple: the roads are greasy and the braking distance increases. On a snowy road, it should even be multiplied by 4!
5) Avoid sudden maneuvers
In winter, gentleness and calm driving are essential and sudden manoeuvres should be avoided. When overtaking or approaching a bend, the driver must do so with caution and tact. Any jerky movement could lead to skidding.
6) Leave the cruise control aside
Even if the road is dry, winter often has surprises in store for us. In case of slippery roads, it is better to avoid using cruise control because it may not detect a change in grip on the road.
7) Be extra careful in open areas
Be especially careful on decks where the temperature is always lower than elsewhere. This is where you are most likely to encounter sneaky patches of ice.
8) Have a cold “survival kit”
It is always useful to have additional accessories with you: a scraper to scrape the frosted windshield, a cloth to clean foggy windows and dirty headlights, a flashlight, gloves, a blanket and water in case of prolonged immobilization.
9) Do not overestimate the capabilities of winter tires
Under no circumstances should the use of winter tyres encourage the driver to take greater risks. Everyone must drive responsibly in all weathers.
10) Have the technical condition of your vehicle checked
The battery, ignition and fuel system are elements that are sensitive to cold. It is best to have them checked before the arrival of the cold weather. It is also essential to check the level of the antifreeze windshield washer fluid and the quality of the windshield wiper blades, which deteriorates even more under the effect of frost.