One of the greatest fears for many drivers, both experienced and novices, is undoubtedly when they have to drive in winter and make a journey, however short, in this season, as the precautions to be taken when there is less light, and more rain, ice and snow, increase, as well as being one of the times when there are statistically the highest number of accidents and accidents.

Therefore, for driving during the winter season, it is advisable to take into account a series of tips, not only in terms of driving, but also in the adoption of preventive measures in the vehicle, which will help to be prepared for the most extreme winter conditions, guaranteeing the safety of the vehicle’s occupants.

Driving in winter

It is essential to check the vehicle before starting any journey in winter, with tyres, heating system, lights, oil and antifreeze levels, as well as windscreen wipers, being the most important points. It is also recommended to have a charged phone, a small first-aid kit and something to eat and drink.

Because driving in winter means less light on the road, and therefore less visibility, as well as more rainfall, with the possibility of icy roads, fewer hours of daylight, fog, possible rain or snowfall,

In addition, it is important to wear suitable clothing, with warm clothing that allows for comfortable driving, and where a suitable interior temperature should be set, not too high, around 21 degrees, that does not suffocate and as far as possible does not consume too much fuel. This will also help to avoid drowsiness at the wheel and fogging of the windows.

Of the first tips for winter driving, increasing the safety distance to the vehicle in front is undoubtedly one of the most important, to ensure that you have enough space to brake in case of an emergency. A measure that avoids the risk of accidents, not only in winter, but also during the rest of the year.

Similarly, in winter driving, it is necessary to reduce speed and drive in high gears as much as possible, as this helps the tyres to grip the road better, especially in wet and snowy conditions. Another tip for driving in winter is to start in second gear as it helps the vehicle to stick to the road more, avoiding skidding, which is essential when there is ice, and in some extreme cases it is also necessary to replace the usual tyres with winter tyres.

Resting on long journeys in winter is also another important tip, as fatigue increases as you are more aware of your driving and use more energy due to stress and the precautionary mode of driving. Winter driving also involves avoiding sudden manoeuvres and braking, especially in curves.

In winter driving mode, in addition to the separation from other vehicles, overtaking in winter should be done progressively, at the appropriate speed, always keeping an eye on the behaviour of the vehicle to be overtaken, and with the utmost caution.

It should be borne in mind that in winter, in the event of a traffic jam or breakdown, it is important to save fuel, in addition to signalling the vehicle properly so that it can be seen from several metres away by other drivers.

In short, driving in winter requires extreme caution, a prior check of the state of the vehicle, adapting the driving style to the road and weather conditions, and driving in a preventive manner, in the event of any problem caused by a slippery road due to water or snow.