[Lily]

It's quite warm where I live (today it was 15 degrees, this November is not Novembering!). However, it seems icy conditions are on their way as early as next week -Scotland is definitely getting some snow- so I thought it could be a good idea to share some tips for driving during winter and ask for yours.

Before You Set Off

• Plan your journey: Check the weather, look for road closures, and give yourself extra time. If your route is exposed or rural, be extra cautious.
• Clear your car: Windscreen, mirrors, lights, and even the roof: remove all the snow and ice before you drive. It keeps you safe and legal.
• Check you have all the essentials: check if your wipers aren’t frozen to the glass before turning them on. When it comes to your tyres, good tread is essential for grip. Winter tyres or snow socks are great if you live somewhere snowy (like Scotland!).
• Don't forget about the screenwash: use winter-strength screenwash (down to -35°C if possible).

Pack for the worst (and hope for the best!):things like torches, blankets, hi-vis, snacks and water, de-icer and scraper, would make a big difference if you happen to get stuck somewhere.

How to Drive in Snow

Driving in snowy conditions is all about being gentle and giving yourself space: accelerate slowly, leave up to 10x the normal stopping distance, watch out for icy patches on bridges, shared areas and open countryside.

Now to you: got any winter driving tips of your own? Did I forget any tip or item we should all pack?
Share them below: your experience might help someone stay safe this winter! ❄️

[olduser]

Check conditions as you progress, if traffic permits, accelerate a bit harder say after a corner or leaving a roundabout, or brake a bit harder both give an idea of grip.
Should you catch up with someone going too slow for the conditions, and decide it is very safe to overtake, cross the between lanes slush first, then accelerate don't overtake with two wheels in the slush, when well clear of the overtaken vehicle re-cross the slush, on a two lane road you are aiming to drive in the opposite lane's cleared (by traffic) area.

Very safe = about 10 times more distance than normal.
Well clear = about 10 times more distance than normal.

Don't try to sneak past HGV's leaving a roundabout, they may drop a load of snow off the top.

If you are not able to use washers (frozen or run out) a handful of virgin snow works well to shift the muck.

Anytime you take a break, wipe the headlights, mirrors, and windows before restarting.
If you have stopped in a service area, don't forget to take your wiping cloths and wash them out.

Tea will perk you up, coffee will but it makes you want to pee, something to pee into while still in the car, is not a bad idea, you may never use it but if you have to - it's heaven.

[Rolebama]

Make sure your antifreeze is up to the task. I have seen too many cars overheat and dump their coolant because the radiator has frozen. Similarly, if your car has had the water frozen, when it comes to thawing it out, make sure your heater system is thawed as well.
Carry a pair of wellies, or similar, for if you have to get out for any reason.
Make sure you have plenty of fuel. In the event of a delay you don't want to run out and have no heating.
Personally, I can't stress enough to have suitable tyres. Summer slicks are worse than useless on snow or ice.

[NMNeil]

My tip is to live in the desert. 😁
https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l...770ca7f4a7412a

[Lily]

@NMNeil It's a beautiful sunny today here in the UK, but it's SO cold, so your comment made me laugh ❄⛄. Is there any advice to driving in the desert? Like, carry lots of water in case you break down in the middle of nowhere? Beware of snakes when changing a tyre?
@Rolebama the wellies tip is ✨gold✨. This weekend several parts of South Wales got flooded and people were stuck in many roads near my house. A couple of wellies could have made someone's life easier by helping them to stay dry and warm when trying to get out of a tight spot.
@olduser the bit about wiping everything clean when taking a break! I never do it, neither does my husband, I'll start doing it now.

[NMNeil]

@Lily Always keep water in the car is standard practice. Your snake comment made me smile as in the 20 years I've lived on my 3.5 acre place I've never seen or heard a snake, but several times a year we have molt skins from diamondback rattlesnakes blowing around everywhere. I know you have spiders in the UK and just like here spiders run away from you, they don't attack you for no reason. I've been stung by scorpions that I have accidentally grabbed; they have never attacked me, it was always my fault. I was bitten by a Brown Recluse, which literally nearly killed me, but again, it was my fault.
https://petdemy.com/brown-recluse-spider-bite-stages/
You just learn to be careful, such as opening a door and looking for anything venomous that may be on the top or the door or the door frame. One of the rules as a police office when conducting a search was "Never put your hand where your eye's haven't been first"
We have a mailbox and it's home to a Black Widow. I leave it alone, but check when I pick up the mail, and when I open the box she always goes to the back and hides. The other reason I leave her alone is spiders are territorial so I know she's the only one that will be in the box. Better a Widow than a Recluse.

[Lily]

@NMNeil it always amaze me how people who live close to such dangerous animals are usually so nonchalant about it, Australians come to mind! 😂 "Oh, it's just a python, not big deal", "I have a Black Widow, no biggie". I think it comes with the territory, I suppose you simply can't live in constant fear.

I checked the link you shared and the "Day 8 to Day 10- Healing begins or Infections Spreads" sounds delightful 😂 like... maybe I'll die, maybe I'll heal.

"Never put your hand where your eye's haven't been first" It's a great rule to live by, even if you are a normal person like me.

Is there something you really don't like about living in the desert? There must me something you don't enjoy!

[Rolebama]

When I was in the Army, we had to supply personnel in Camp Chatham in Libya. Someone obviously saw the writing on the wall, because the camp closed just before Gadaffi came to power. The most common negative was how the sand got everywhere. Clothing, food, drinks - nothing was safe.

[NMNeil]

Originally Posted by Lily

Is there something you really don't like about living in the desert? There must me something you don't enjoy!

The dust.
https://www.kob.com/news/top-news/du...-roswell-area/