Do you leave enough of a gap while driving in winter?
Posted by Richard Sinclair
We've all heard variations of the saying "tyres and tarmac" or been reminded of the two-second rule for the amount of space you should leave between your car and the one in front, but in winter conditions it is crucial to leave a lot more space.
It is important not to underestimate how long it will take your vehicle to stop in icy and snowy conditions, which are no doubt just around the corner in the UK as the temperatures have already started to head towards single figures.
In normal conditions it takes 23 metres or five car lengths to stop when travelling at 30 mph, at 50 mph this doubles to 53 metres (12 car lengths), and at 70 mph it takes 96 metres, or 21 car lengths.
Simon Elstow, head of training at the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), said that in wet conditions the two-second rule should be doubled to four and quadrupled in snow and ice.
He revealed that it is crucial to brake in a straight line where possible as braking while going round a bend has the potential to unbalance the car, which can result in a skid or even the complete loss of control.
Therefore, it is crucial to get your car into the right gear and travel at a speed to take the corner before you get there.
Braking seems a simple practice in normal conditions, but when the winter weather is around it is a difficult prospect and Mr Elstow explained the need for braking smoothly in treacherous conditions.
He noted: "Braking is a skill that needs practice – do it properly and you'll improve fuel consumption and journey times. If you prepare in time, and look further down the road, you can avoid stopping as often – for example, look ahead and plan to meet a gap in the traffic on a roundabout."
Of course for extra grip in difficult driving conditions you can always splash out on a set of winter tyres, which work better in lower temperatures and can offer improved grip.
Are you ready for the challenges winter driving throws up?
