With the summer now over and the clocks changing this weekend, Toyota has put together some autumn driving safety tips to deal with challenging conditions such as wet roads, fog and shortened daylight hours that accompany the glorious autumn colours. According to research by the RAC Foundation, road traffic collisions increase by 19 per cent in the fortnight after putting the clocks back one hour … [Read more...]
Prepare yourself and vehicle for snow ahead
Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is urging motorists to take extra care, with temperatures forecast to plummet and the possibility of a return to snow this week. Forecasters are predicting freezing temperatures during next week. As a result, road journeys are likely to be more difficult and treacherous, with ice on roads, falls of snow and reduced visibility because of … [Read more...]
Worst ever winter breakdowns, said RAC
The RAC yesterday coped with over 12,000 breakdown calls in what it said was the ‘worst-ever winter breakdown cocktail’. RAC Breakdown spokesperson Rod Dennis said, “Yesterday was officially our busiest day for breakdowns on record, with around 12,000 drivers needing help, the equivalent of eight every minute of the day. Even our busiest day during the infamous Beast from the East in 2018 didn’t … [Read more...]
Bad weather driving needs more skill
Hundreds of new drivers will encounter wet and wintry roads for the first time this year and need to prepare to alter their summer driving style. Five tips all motorists should be aware of this winter come from the experts at Bill Plant Driving School. Think about your stopping distance. When a road surface becomes slippy, it makes a vehicle unable to brake as quickly as what it would be … [Read more...]
Carmarthenshire slips to top of winter accidents in Wales
Government data shows that London has more accidents (4,846) when the weather is poor than all other regions across the country, with nearly double the accidents that occur in Scotland and Wales, put together (2,629). The compilation for Leasing Options showed that within London itself, Lambeth was found to have the most bad-weather related accidents, with 248 occurrences reported last year. … [Read more...]
Beware La Niña says weather forecaster
One of the UK’s leading winter maintenance company, Ice Watch has taken delivery of more than 3,000 tonnes of salt in preparation for the upcoming season, which it predicts will be the company’s busiest season yet. Part of the idverde Group, Ice Watch is the only gritting, snow clearance and winter maintenance services company in the UK with a full-time in-house meteorologist. By … [Read more...]
Plan for cold weather to come, says insurer
With the Met Office predicting lower temperatures in the UK in the next couple of weeks telematics insurance provider, drive like a girl, is urging drivers to ensure their cars are prepared for the colder weather. Kelly Wilkins, Head of Customer Service, drive like a girl, said, “Extreme weather brings about a new set of driving challenges, and accidents and breakdowns are more … [Read more...]
Brits risk safety and fines as chill bites
Millions of Brits are risking their safety and their bank balance by driving with their windscreen iced up in wintry conditions, according to Halfords Autocentres. The dark, wet and cold months can be the most treacherous on the road - with motorists more likely to be caught off-guard by the unpredictable conditions. And a survey of 2,000 motorists found 35 per cent admitted to driving off with … [Read more...]
Council crews vote on possible gritting strike
Council workers in Carmarthenshire will finish voting today on possible industrial action over gritting duties this winter. GMB Union is balloting members for strike action over winter gritting, or other forms for action short of a strike. If members strike there could be a blanket ban on winter gritting duties - meaning roads across south Wales could grind to a halt in the new year. With … [Read more...]
Snow warning prompts driving advice
IAM RoadSmart brings you expert advice on driving in snow from its head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman. The best advice is to avoid travelling in extreme weather. If no one is moving, you just add to the problem - so listen to travel advice. If you do have to travel in bad weather, plan your journey thoroughly. Think about where you are going and what it will be like all … [Read more...]