CAREFULNESS TO BE TAKEN WHEN DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE.

In snowy or icy area:

It is recommended:

• Avoid driving while snowing. If you do so, just drive in case of absolute necessity.
• Avoid driving at night time.
• Avoid driving by yourself.
• Always take warm and waterproof clothes, footwear to combat cold weather, gloves, food rich in calories and water.

While driving:

• Do not accelerate or brake violently, use the gear shift.
• Remember that in shodwy areas, the ice still remains.
• Keep your distance from the car in front of yours, this distance must be considerably larger than the usual one.
• Avoid stopping the car in slopes, bridges, curves or places with poor visibility.
• Remember that cars that are ascending in a slope have priority.
• Respect and give priority to the team and staff who are doing winter maintenance tasks.
• Accept the instructions given by the police, civil defense or highway agancies.
• Do not pull over on the road, do so on the lay-by.
• In case of being at a standstill on the road because of the snow or ice:
  • Remain in the car, it is the safest place.
  • Keep the car closed but with air circulation in order to renew the air. Do not use fuel heaters to heat the inside of the car.
  • Make sure the roof is snow free.
  • Switch on the engine regularly to keep the temperature of the inside of the car.

The positioning of chains:

Cars and four wheel vehicles:
1- Compulsory in every rear and front wheel, according to the vehicle class.
2- If your vehicle is rear track, add the chains in the front wheels so that the manoeuvre improves.

The car:

• Keep the gas tank full, eventhough you are driving for a short time.
• Use antifreeze in the refrigeration system and windscreen wiper.
• Drive with chains specialized in snow and ice in case of abslotue necessity.
• If you are driving a light vehicle you may use tires with nails.

You should remember:

• Tonne towing bar
• Ropes
• Blankets
• Flashlight
• Tools
• Small Shovel
• Jumper cable
• A colourful cloth to use it as a flag to indicate your position.

Useful advices:

• Do not try to look for help during a storm because you will certaintly loose sense of direction.
• Do not fall asleep. If you do so, you may suffer from hypothermia which may cause physical damages due to the cold weather.
• Every passanger inside the car shoud fasten their seatbelts.
• Keep your lights on.

Source: Developed by National Highways Agency.