Winter Drive Safety Tips
Is your car winter road-worthy?
Check brakes, wiper blades, battery, tyre pressure and tread.
Check all your lights are in working order - use your headlights, not park lights in low light conditions.
Carry chains and learn how and when to fit them.
Clear the ice off all your windows before you start up - use cold water or an ice scraper.
Plan your trip
Do you have to make the trip now?
Check road conditions, choose safety over convenience to select your route.
Phone 0900 33 222 for 24 hour road conditions and road closure information.
Dress for the conditions - carry warm clothes in case yuo get stuck or break down. For a long trip have some food in the car.
Towing is not recommended in icy conditions.
Drive to the conditions
Keep speed down - watch for shaded areas where ice may stay all day.
Increase following distance to at least 4 seconds.
Avoid sudden movements - accelerate smoothly and brake very gently.
Fit chains on the driving wheels of the vehicle. Going down hill on an icy road you need chains on the front wheels to ensure you have steering control.
To brake, pump the brake in short rapid bursts rather than pressing long and hard.
More information:
ACC Winter Driving Infomation