Road User Voice – December 2015 – Winter Focus
30 November 2015
The traditions of Halloween and Bonfire Night are now behind us and our thoughts are turning to the festive period. This may be a time for longer journeys, additional trips in the car to stock up on those all-important gifts, to take time off to visit family or places of interest. Or perhaps it is business as usual for you, travelling on your usual route for work or for some other reason.
At this time of year, one thing we can all maybe rely on at some point are bouts of colder winter weather. Darker evenings add to the mix of things to think about on the road as well as changing conditions and hazards to be aware of.
We’ve included a few tips and hints below from Highways England and there is a wealth of winter driving advice available at: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/winterhighways.
- Before you set off, ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy and well-maintained – check tyres, oil, coolant levels and ensure that you have enough fuel for your journey.
- Have an emergency kit in your car including a map/road atlas, first aid kit, personal medication, food and a drink, warm waterproof clothing, ice scraper and de-icer, jump leads, shovel, and sunglasses – low winter sun can dazzle at this time of year.
- Check travel information and weather updates before setting off, and be prepared to delay your journey in the worst conditions.
As the new watchdog for road users, we are keen to see how the road network performs – and how the challenges of more difficult road conditions affects everyone. Keeping roads open and accessible, and users informed of what is happening before and during their journeys is vital for everyone at this time of the year. We’ll be keeping an eye on how successful Highways England is at this over the winter.
