Top tips to staying safe this winter

December 7, 2017

Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is urging motorists to take extra care as winter weather is predicted in the next few days.

Road journeys are more difficult and treacherous when there is a fall of snow. GEM is encouraging drivers to make good use of some simple safety tips in order to reduce the chance of risk, delay and difficulty – and to avoid putting additional strain on the emergency services and breakdown providers who are likely to be at full stretch in winter weather.

• Don’t drive if you don’t really need to. The easiest way to avoid trouble from winter conditions is not to venture out in the car.

• If you do have to make a road journey, then please ensure your car is properly equipped for the likely conditions. That’s because if you do experience a breakdown, you will most likely have to wait longer until help arrives.

• If bad weather threatens, or has already arrived, then postpone your journey and eliminate the risk of becoming stuck somewhere.

• Listen for weather updates, and plan your travel accordingly.

• Prepare a set of essential items, including shovel, fully charged mobile phone, torch, ice scraper, food, water, jump leads, first aid kit, warm clothes and a supply of sand or gravel to assist with grip if your wheels are spinning.

• Keep your speeds down, leave plenty of space between yourself and the vehicle in front, give room to snowploughs and gritter trucks, and be ready for sudden, rapid deteriorations in conditions.

• Remember that driving in winter conditions can be hard work, so ensure you build in breaks on your journeys.

GEM road safety officer Neil Worth said: “Have a plan ready now that can help you postpone that journey you’re expecting to make. Agree to reschedule a meeting or a visit if it’s not vital. In that way, you’re avoiding a lot of potential trouble for yourself, and ensuring you won’t be putting additional strain on emergency and recovery crews, who are sure to be at full stretch in the coming days.

“If you’re out and about when snow hits, then the simple preparation measures suggested above really can make a big difference to help keep you safe.”

Latest News

GEM winter weather warning

Plan ahead for winter weather driving

GEM Motoring Assist, a road safety and breakdown organisation, is urging drivers to
[...]
Suzuki e Vitara

Suzuki goes electric with the e Vitara

Suzuki has unveiled its first mass-production electric vehicle called the e Vitara, with
[...]
Toyota Corolla

Toyota’s 5,000,000th milestone in the UK

Toyota is celebrating the five millionth car to be built at its Burnaston
[...]
Skoda Karoq

Skoda Karoq gains a new Edition trim

Skoda is ramping up customer value once again with a comprehensive refresh of
[...]
Kia EV3 boot liner The Ocean Cleanup

Kia boot liner made from ocean plastic

Kia has developed the world’s first car accessory made from plastic extracted from
[...]
Nissan Ariya NISMO

Buckle up for the Nissan Ariya NISMO

It’s time to buckle up because from this Thursday, 17 October, customers can
[...]
Renault 4 E Tech

New Renault 4 is a nod to its heritage

With a nod to the past, the new Renault 4 E-Tech electric has
[...]
GEM deer warning

Keep a look-out for deer on the road

Road safety and breakdown organisation, GEM Motoring Assist, is warning drivers to be
[...]
VW California

Pop-up fun with latest VW California

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has unveiled the UK specifications for the new California campervan,
[...]
Billy Monger

Toyota helps keep Paralympics moving

In recent weeks the Olympic and Paralympic Games have been a major highlight
[...]
Dacia Spring

Special deals for all-new Dacia Spring

The Dacia Spring – the UK’s most affordable new electric car – is
[...]
Honda HR-V

Fresh look for Honda’s popular HR-V

Honda has refreshed its HR-V e:HEV model line-up with a purposeful facelift across
[...]
Hyundai Inster

Hyundai Inster goes on showroom tour

British customers will get their first chance to see Hyundai’s new Inster model
[...]
MG ZS Hybrid+

Order books open for new MG ZS Hybrid+

MG Motor UK has opened the order books for the all-new MG ZS
[...]
Mercedes AMG PureSpeed

Mercedes-AMG tests out its PureSpeed

Mercedes-AMG is commencing the final phase in the development of the highly exclusive
[...]
VW Golf GTI Clubsport

New VW Golf trims are available soon

The highest-performing versions of the new VW Golf can be ordered from August
[...]