Tips To Drive Safely in Winters in Australia
The cool dreamy winters bring along some pangs to the drivers of NSW – The slippery roads, fogged ways, difficulty to start the engine and there are more. Definitely, you have got an idea of what we are talking about!
How to deal with such vexing situations? Is bailing out a way? Certainly not!
Driving in NSW during winters requires some skills to be learnt that our shrewd driving instructors are capable of teaching you. Let’s have a look at a few of the tips you need to follow when driving in winter.
Get your vehicle attuned for winters
As soon as the autumn comes, the breeze would start getting cold. It signals for the upkeep of your vehicle before the breeze turns to a blizzard. You need to make sure that the car is ready to face the harsh wintery climate coming ahead. So, what all you must check beforehand?
· Brakes and brake pads must be working properly. Because slipping off of the car is common in winters.
· The indicators and headlight should be emitting light with apt brightness. Since the fog could obscure the vision, the headlights and indicators alert the oncoming drivers.
· Tiers play a pivotal role. Thus, make sure that they are in good condition, not worn off.
· The engine has to be in an apt condition and the spark plug must work properly to start the car even during peak winters at once.
· Windows and doors of the car must not have any leakage to let the cold air seep in.
Check the weather before driving
Of course, you know driving even during winters. Yet whenever, you go out to run an errand, seek the help of weather apps that would tell you about the outside climatic conditions. If it is not so windy, you must do the needful things. In case, the blizzard alert pops up, then restrain yourself from going out unless it is damn necessary.
Slowing down is rational
What is the hurry to reach a place unless you have a nature’s call? As a matter of fact, even in that case seek a solution, which must not be rash driving. A hurry could lead to hazardous consequences. Since the mist and fog cover the roads under a thick veil of them, it becomes cumbersome to see through on the way ahead. On top of it, if you drive speedily, the control over the vehicle could get lost, leading to dangerous outcomes.
Use headlights and indicators
Though high beam is not recommended to be used as it blinds the oncoming driver. But, during winters the devil becomes an angel. Using high beams in winters when it could be raining or the roads are obscured by a dense veil of fog, turns out to be a saving grace.
Moreover, if you have installed fog lights, then the beam of the bulb could cut through the dense fog intimating the oncoming vehicle’s driver about your presence ahead. This makes the driver alert. He may slow down or change the lane if he is on the wrong one to avoid any crash with you.
Additionally, car indicators signal the driver behind about your veering to a cut ahead. He/ she would be reported early about your action, making him/her slow down. Also, during heavy fog or rain, turn on all the indicators while driving.
Keep cleaning the windscreen
If you are driving in the morning once the frost has settled then you may find the windscreen of your car with a layer of ice. Mostly, drivers don’t take along ice scrapers in their vehicles, so you’ll need anoff-beat way to clear the iced layer.
A credit card could be at that time could become the savior – just be aware that after that you might not be to use the card as it might get scratched badly
Even if that is not possible, splash a bucket of warm water over the windscreen and side mirrors. That willsurely melt the ice and you can clean it with a cloth.
Keep a gap ahead
You won’t be solely driving on the roads. More cars and other types of vehicles will surely accompany you. Since skidding due to snow could be possible, it is highly advisable to keep the gap between your car and the ahead vehicle a little wider than usual. In case of any sudden situation, handling it would become easy in comparison to if the gap is small. This enables you to save yourself as well as others.