Friday, July 11, 2014
Horowhenua Chronicle
19
ICY: The Desert Road in winter.
Follow the ABC of winter driving Now that winter has properly arrived, road safety charity Brake is reminding drivers to follow the ABC of winter driving to prevent devastating crashes. That means avoiding setting off in dangerous conditions, being prepared by listening to forecasts and having an emergency kit, and careful driving, by keeping a safe distance and slowing right down if caught in bad conditions. Brake director Caroline Perry says every year lives are torn apart by crashes. “We’re calling on drivers to do everything possible to avoid tragedies when winter weather hits. Heavy rain, high winds, fog, snow and icy conditions all make driving incredibly risky; stopping distances at least double in the wet and can increase ten-fold in ice and snow, and if you can’t see clearly
you can’t react to hazards. We are also urging drivers to be prepared, make sure your vehicle is properly maintained and you have an emergency kit. If you get caught out by the weather the most critical thing is to slow right down and keep your distance so you have time to stop in an emergency.” Brake’s ABC advice: ■ Avoid driving in treacherous conditions. Avoid driving in bad conditions like fog, heavy rain, ice and snow. Consider alternative modes of transport if available, delay your journey or avoiding going out altogether if possible. ■ Be prepared. Make sure your vehicle is well maintained, and tyres have a tread depth of at least 3mm. Check forecasts and plan your route to avoid roads likely to be more risky, and allow plenty of time. Carry an emergency kit with an ice scraper or de-icer; torch; cloths;
a blanket and warm clothes; food and drink; first-aid kit; spade; warning triangle and highvisibility vest. Always take a fully charged phone in case of emergencies, but don’t be tempted to use it when driving. ■ Careful and cautious driving. If you do get caught out driving in treacherous conditions, you need to slow right down to increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front. In rain, your stopping distance is at least double what it is in the dry, so keep a four second gap. In snow or icy conditions stopping distances increase by as much as 10 times so you need to drop right back. Keep a careful look out for people on foot and bikes who may be harder to spot. Avoid harsh braking and acceleration and carry out manoeuvres slowly and with extra care. To support Brake, go to www.brake.org.nz.
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