Winter weather driving tips 

Drive to survive this winter, get the run down on safe driving for the conditions

Winter is the most dangerous time of year for driving; unfortunately this is also the time of year that walking or other modes of transport are often out of the question.

A New Zealand winter brings with it all manner of challenges and conditions from gusty winds, to buckets of rain, to icy roads and thick fog.  Keeping safe on the roads in these conditions comes down to sensible driving and conscientious vehicle maintenance.

So before the winter months are well and truly underway get your car a pre winter check up.

• First and foremost you want to make sure your car is road worthy and has a current warrant of fitness
• Further to that get your brakes and tyres checked
• A tune up to get your car in great working condition for the winter weather should include; hoses, belts and battery
• Make sure your car’s heating and defrosting systems are in good working condition for mornings when you find the windshield covered in ice
• Check the windscreen wipers and fluid more frequently in winter. A malfunction when you’re caught in a downpour can be at best a pain, at worst fatal
• Getting stuck in a storm or even snow during the winter is a risk. Carbon monoxide leaks in your exhaust can be harmful and even fatal if you are stuck in your car and you need to run the engine to keep warm.  Have your mechanic check the exhaust to ensure there are no leaks
• Know your brakes. The way you handle your car in wet conditions makes a big difference when it comes to accidents. Your brakes are essential for keeping you on the road so make sure you know the car you are driving before you hit the road

When you are on the roads in the winter, take extra precautions to keep yourself safe.

• Slow down, this is perhaps the most important safety tip of all. Sticking to the speed limit is often too fast in slippery conditions
• Increase your following distance; it takes longer to stop when it’s wet or icy so give yourself more room
• Rain and fog make it harder to see and be seen. Use your lights when visibility is reduced.  In severe conditions where you can’t see the road slow right down and if necessary pull over
• If your car skids, do not slam on the brakes. Take your foot off the accelerator and gently steer the car in the direction you want to go. Don’t swerve or change direction by turning the steering wheel hard