Britannia Rescue - Safety tips

Travelling by Car

Motoring tips for coldest winter

This winter is forecast to be coldest we've seen this decade, so Britannia Rescue, has put together some tips to ensure your car is well prepared for those winter trips.

With the festive season approaching, many of you may be making plans for long car journeys over the Christmas holiday period. Bad weather can strike suddenly, so it's no surprise the number of cars requiring assistance increases over this period. Britannia Rescue regularly sees an increase of up to 35% in the number of its members requiring assistance through the winter months.

So to be a step ahead and ensure that winter breakdowns are a rare occurrence, here's a driver's check list:

Under the Bonnet:

Antifreeze

In cold weather antifreeze is essential for protecting your car against frost damage. It is important correct strength antifreeze and water mix is used as neat antifreeze can turn to sludge when very cold. A 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water is recommended.

Oil and Water

Check oil and water levels regularly, referring to manufacturer's manual.
Keep a bottle of water in the car to top up your windscreen washer in an emergency, it is an offence to drive with an empty windscreen washer.

Exterior

Lights

Check all lights are in working order. Replace burned out bulbs and remember to clean road grime from all lenses when washing the car.
Check your front and rear fog lights too; remember these should only be used when visibility is reduced to around 100 metres and switched off when visibility improves.
You can check brake lights unaided by seeing if they illuminate a wall or garage door.
Test your horn.
Number plates should also be clearly visible from the front and rear.

Tyres

Examine tyres for signs of uneven wearing and for any cuts or small nicks in the sides of the tyres.
Check tyre pressures and the tread depth - a minimum of 1.6mm over at least three-quarters of the tread width is the current legal requirement, but they should be replaced long before that.

Brakes

This is definitely the time of year to get your brakes checked by a professional.

Windscreen

Check that both front and rear wiper blades are not worn or damaged. If they are leaving smears across your windscreen, it's time for new blades. Split, cracked or perished wiper blades will lead to an MOT test failure and put you and others in danger.
Clean the windows, inside and out, and wipe the lamp lenses and door mirrors.
Keep a can of de-icer and a scraper in the car. De-icer can also be used to defrost doors and petrol filter locks.

Interior

Accessories

Have you remembered to put your emergency breakdown card in your purse, wallet, or handbag? Is the number stored in your mobile phone?
Carry a few things just in case. Gloves, a blanket, a small shovel, a torch and some cash are essential.
Consider carrying a mobile phone with you. Remember to make sure your phone is fully charged and has sufficient credit before you set off. Bear in mind that the recent change in the law has banned using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving.

Safety Messages

Remember, to brake and accelerate gently in wet and icy conditions this will greatly reduce your chance of been involved in an accident. To prevent skidding when slowing your vehicle down, use your gears to help keep complete control of your car, pulling away in a higher gear may also prevent you from doing a wheel spin. Stopping distances are doubled on rain soaked roads and can increase by more than 10 times on ice!

If the vehicle goes into a skid, steer in the direction of the skid and try not to brake or accelerate until the vehicle is under control.

Britannia Rescue offers a priority service for vulnerable drivers, so if you're not a member call us for your personal quote today.

Before a journey:

Give your car regular checks and servicing, this will give you peace of mind and ensure that breakdowns are a rare occurrence. Checks should include cleaning both your headlights and indicator lights and checking they are in working order.
Keep a few things in the car in case of emergencies, a blanket, a torch, water, anti freeze and some cash are essential.
Always let someone know where you are going, who you are going with and give them an estimated arrival time at your destination.
Plan your route before you set off (log onto britanniarescue.com for a route planner) and be sure to take a map with you. This will mean you will not have to rely upon strangers for help or direction.
Consider carrying a mobile phone with you whilst driving alone. Remember to make sure your phone is fully charged and has sufficient credit before you set off.

Whilst driving:

Be aware of your fuel gauge to ensure you have sufficient fuel for your journey.
Keep doors locked whilst you are driving and windows shut, especially when stopping at traffic lights.
Do not pick up hitchhikers along your route for any reason.
Avoid shortcuts along minor routes in order to save time.

If your car breaks down:

If possible always try to drive your car to a safe place out of the way of other traffic, but well lit.
Switch on the hazard lights and lift the bonnet to indicate that you have broken down.
Call for assistance from a garage, nearby pay phone or using a mobile, never 'hitch a lift'. If you are unable to get any help, call the police.
If your experience difficulties with your car when on the motorway, try to stop near an emergency telephone situated at 1-mile intervals along the hard shoulder, as these are directly linked to the police. A high number of fatalities occur due to vehicles hitting stationary cars on the hard shoulder.
Switch on your hazard lights and if it's dark or the light is bad, keep your side lights on, pulling over as far to the left as possible.
Leave your car by the passenger door and wait well away from the carriageway, not forward of the vehicle. If staying in the car is unavoidable, wait in the passenger seat so that others drivers will assume the driver has gone to a telephone.
When you've made contact give as many details as possible i.e. your location, car make and registration, try to describe what the fault is. If you are stuck in a remote area or feel in danger make sure to let them know.
Do not under any circumstances open the door to strangers. If someone stops offering help, communicate with them through closed windows. Only open the door to someone you know and trust, or who has shown you identification.
If a passing motorist tries to warn you that there is something wrong with your vehicle then do not pull-in. Wait until you have reached a garage or a busy and well-lit public area and make your checks there.

Travelling By Taxi

Before you travel:

Always use licensed mini-cab services; avoid the temptation to jump into an unlicensed vehicle.
If you have ordered a taxi, make sure the car you ordered is the one you get into.
Sit in the back of the taxi and keep your mobile phone close.

Safe Parking

Keeping You Safe

If parking on a street, choose an area that is well lit, busy and ideally overlooked by CCTV - an ideal deterrent for potential attackers.
If using public car parks, choose one that is well lit, has security patrols, restricted entry and exit points and always check closing times.
Reverse into the parking space and try and park close to the lift/stairway. This allows for an easy exit, should you need it and a lot more people will be passing by.
Check that the interior and glove compartment lights work.
Keep a can of de-icer and a scraper in the car to prevent spending unnecessary time out of your car, scraping the windows. It also means that no-one can approach your car without you being able to see them through the windscreen.
Put children in the car from the nearside.
If you are concerned about personal security, lock all doors once inside the vehicle.
When returning to your vehicle, remember to check in and around your car before unlocking and entering. Check the back seats before entering the vehicle. A small torch can provide extra visibility.
Enter and exit your vehicle as quickly as possible.
Beware of parking next to side opening, high vans. If one is parked to your driver side on return, enter the vehicle via the passenger side.

General Safety Tips

Light up the road

One in 5 cars over 3 years old has faulty lights and would fail a MOT on the spot. So before you begin a long journey, clean both your headlights and your indicator clusters.

Don't distract other drivers

You must not use your front or rear fog lamps unless visibility is seriously reduced, as they can dazzle other drivers and obscure your brake lights. You must turn off your fog lamps once visibility has improved.

Check your tyres

Bad light, fog and rain reduce both visibility and your emergency reaction time. Ice, snow, water and leaves also affect the handling of your car - and the only thing between you and the road is your tyres. So get into the habit of regularly checking your tyre wear and tyre pressure (don't forget your spare wheel!). If you're unsure what pressure your tyres require, you'll find it in your manufacturer's handbook.

Don't forget your anti freeze

Having 'some' anti freeze won't necessarily protect your car from frost damage. The higher the strength of the anti freeze / water mixture, the colder your engine can get without freezing up. Your garage will be able to check that your mixture is at its optimum strength as neat anti freeze turns to sludge when very cold.

Change your wiper blades

When you get dirty arcs across your windscreen after you've turned your wipers off, it's time for a change!

Clean your windscreen

Keep your windscreen washer bottle topped up with water and a good quality screen wash. The screen wash protects the water from freezing and also contains additives that will remove the road grease from your windscreen. Check the level regularly - remember you have a legal responsibility to ensure that your windscreen is clear at all times.

Be prepared

If you pour hot water onto your windscreen it may shatter, so always carry a can of de-icer and a scraper. You can also use the de-icer to free up frozen door locks and petrol filler locks.

Drive safely

There's no need to feel vulnerable if you follow some simple tips: Always choose a well lit public place to park. Have your keys in your hand when you approach your car and as soon as you get in, lock all the doors. Never pick up hitchhikers. Always carry a map, so you don't need to stop and ask directions. And make sure you've got enough petrol for your journey!

Keep safe on the motorway

If your car gets into difficulties, try and stop near an emergency telephone situated at 1 mile intervals along the hard shoulder. Always pull onto the hard shoulder as far left as possible. Switch on your hazard lights and if it's dark or the light is bad, keep your side-lights on. Leave your car by the passenger door and wait well away from the carriageway. Alternatively, if you feel safer, stay in your car with the doors locked and always sit on the passenger side, as this gives the impression that the driver is about to return.

Happy Motoring!

Britannia Rescue offers a priority service for vulnerable drivers, so if you're not a member call us on 0800 591563, for your personal quote today.