Winter driving- is your vehicle up to it?

Cumbria Police are asking everyone to consider checking their vehicles roadworthiness as the weather changes and it gets darker earlier.

In the last few weeks officers from the Roads Policing Unit had to stop people who were driving in twilight and poor visibility. The motorists only had their Daylight Running lights on and not their side or full beam headlights. This meant that they were able to be seen from the front but had no lights illuminated at the back of the car, therefore  making the vehicle difficult to see.

This creates a danger to other motorists in that when approaching a vehicle in poor visibility or twilight they are unable to see the un-illuminated car.  Each year as the clocks change the number of collisions rises in the evening and twilight and this has been shown to be one of the highest risk times to drive.

Police are advising motorists to ensure that they have the correct lights illuminated for the driving conditions.

Sergeant Graeme Hodgson said: “It is essential that people drive correctly and to the road conditions. Have consideration for other motorists by making sure your car is visible to all drivers by correctly using the headlights. If visibility is poor then please use your lights to ensure that you can be seen on the road.

“When driving at night make sure that you do not dazzle other motorists with full beam headlights. Make sure that you switch your lights down in plenty of time. Dazzling other drivers is dangerous and they can quickly lose orientation.”

Cumbria Police are also advising people to check their car to ensure that it is roadworthy. Carrying out a few simple checks or investing in a visit to the local garage could prevent a serious incident occurring.

Sergeant Hodgson continued: “We are still advising motorists to check their tyres. This is even more essential as the weather turns colder. Having the correct tyres and the right pressure will help with grip on icy and cold roads.  Winter tyres consisting of a compound of rubber that stays flexible at lower temperatures are widely available now and approach the comfort and noise levels of normal tyres.  Many garages will swap summer and winter tyres at little cost.  Whilst it means investing in two sets of tyres, the benefits are enormous in a rural County like Cumbria.  It’s not just a case of being able to climb hills, it’s the difference they make to stopping distances and going round corners that really makes them worthwhile.

“Carrying out maintenance checks, such as oil, windscreen wash levels and checking your tyres will help you be safer on the road and could prevent a serious collision from happening.  Most screen additives recommend a higher concentration for the winter, this is essential if the screen wash is not just to freeze onto the window or freeze in the pipes when used.  If you are uncertain about doing this yourself, then an investment in a trip to your local garage could potentially save your life.”

For more information about vehicle safety http://www.cumbria.police.uk/advice-and-information/road-and-vehicle-safety/road-safety