Every year in around the country, adverse weather conditions contribute to crashes on our roads. Crashes generally occur because people haven’t adjusted their driving to take weather conditions into account. It’s important that you allow extra time, care and attention when driving in winter. Follow these winter driving tips to stay safe this winter:
- Before you travel, check the road conditions
- If road conditions are poor, consider whether you really need to travel.
- Look at taking the bus instead of driving yourself.
- Think about where you are going, how you travel and what route you should take – choose safety over convenience.
- Demist your windows before you start driving
- Use your lights during the day as well as at night so other drivers can see you.
- Drive slower than usual – it only takes a split second to lose control in wet or icy conditions. Also, it takes longer to stop on wet
and icy roads. The two second rule should become at least four seconds. - Be aware of pedestrians and cyclists who are sharing the road with you.
- Frosts can occur any time of the night or morning and in different areas from one day to the next.
- Check your workplace snow and adverse weather policy and find out who you need to call in case you can't make it to work safely.
- Watch for shaded areas and bridges, where ice may remain all day.Some roads are gritted or treated with a deicing agent to alleviate winter road hazards such as ice and frost, but we encourage people to drive to the conditions and be aware of the risks on winter roads.
Don't forget that the New Zealand Transport Agency also has information on the state highway network which you can check if you are planning a longer trip away, you can find more information here.
Make sure you follow these tips, take your time and stay safe wherever your journey takes you this winter.
