roadchef

Make time for winter…

Roadchef is proud to support the Highways Agency winter driving campaign, so please take time to read the latest winter driving tips below or follow the appropriate links for more detailed information. And remember to be prepared, informed, wise and aware this winter and to drive sensibly over the coming months, taking regular breaks along your journey.

BE PREPARED

Check your vehicle is ready for winter and always carry an emergency kit

Regularly servicing, and checking your vehicle is in good running order before setting out, will reduce your chances of breaking down on the road. So is your vehicle ready?

• Check and replace the anti-freeze in the radiator
• Make sure your lights are clean and check the bulbs
• Ensure your windscreen is clean
• Replace the battery if it's not reliable
• Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated and replace them if the tread has reached the legal minimum.

In addition, create your own winter emergency kit. Just gather together the items below and pack them in the car at the start of the winter season. You never know when you might need them.

• Ice scraper and de-icer
• Torch and spare batteries - or a wind-up torch
• Warm clothes and blankets - for you and all your passengers
• Boots
• First aid kit
• Jump leads
• A shovel
• Road atlas
• Sunglasses (the glare from snow can be dazzling)

And finally, before each journey in severe weather

• Clean any snow and ice from all windows, lights and number plates and make sure you can see clearly and be seen
• Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged - but don’t use it while driving
• Take some food and a warm drink in a flask in case you get stuck and don't forget to take any personal medication too!

For further information, please visit www.highways.gov.uk/winter

BE INFORMED

In severe and wintry weather it’s even more important to plan your journey

The Highways Agency provides up to the minute traffic reports for its network of 4,300 miles of motorways and major A roads across England.

Just a few minutes checking before you set off can make all the difference to your journey.

Check weather updates

Take weather conditions into account when planning your route by visiting the Met Office website or listening to local radio broadcasts.

Why not bookmark the Highways Agency website traffic pages on your computer, download the iPhone app, or follow the Agency on Twitter?

Check traffic updates

The Highways Agency website includes latest traffic reports, maps showing how the traffic is flowing on England’s motorways and major A roads, a motorway flow diagram, views from CCTV cameras, average speeds and the displays on motorway message signs.

When you take a break

On long journeys, consider taking a break at regular intervals - and that's an ideal time to check the traffic conditions on the road ahead. While you are safely parked, check the latest information via your mobile phone, iPhone or laptop. Never stop on the hard shoulder to do this.

Download your free app for your iPhone or if you have another type of smart phone that is web enabled, you can visit the Agency website to access a mobile friendly version. This will allow you to select live updates by road, region or motorway. Remember; never use a mobile while driving.

There are also information points with screens displaying live traffic updates at most Roadchef motorway service areas.

For further information, please visit www.highways.gov.uk/winter

BE WISE

Road and weather conditions may change, drive with care

When you’re on the road, pay attention to the changing road, traffic and weather conditions. Be ready to slow down and take more care if you need to, particularly on bends and exposed roads. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security – even if you drive every day on the same stretch of road.

You can use the Highways Agency’s information services to check for delays on the major roads. They work closely with the Met Office, so they’ve got the latest information on weather conditions too.

Watch out for ice!

Even after roads have been treated in winter, driving conditions may remain challenging, especially on stretches where the local road layout or landscape means there is a greater risk of ice forming.

Driving in fog

• Use dipped headlights so other drivers can see you
• If it’s really foggy (less than 100m visibility) and you can’t see much, then switch your fog lights on
• Fog is often patchy so try not to speed up as visibility improves. You could suddenly find yourself back in thick fog

Driving through ice and snow

• Clear snow off all windows, number plates and lights – so you can see and be seen
• You should also clear any snow on the roof of the vehicle before you drive off. It can slip down over the windscreen and obscure your view
• It’s not always obvious that the road is icy. Look for clues such as ice on the pavement or on your windscreen, before you start your journey. If your tyres are making virtually no noise on the road it could be a sign that you’re driving on ice
• Don’t brake harshly – you risk locking up your wheels and you could skid further
• In severe cold or snowy conditions, look out for winter service vehicles spreading salt or using snow ploughs. Stay well back because salt or spray is thrown across the road. Don’t overtake unless it is safe to do so – there may be uncleared snow or previously untreated surfaces on the road ahead

Driving in the rain

• When the road’s wet, it can take twice as long to stop. So it makes sense to slow down and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front
• If your vehicle loses its grip, or “aquaplanes” on surface water take your foot off the accelerator to slow down

Driving in windy weather

• Take extra care on the roads and plan your journeys by checking the latest weather conditions
• High-sided vehicles are particularly affected by windy weather but strong gusts can also blow a vehicle, cyclist, motorcyclist, or horse rider off course. This can happen on open stretches of road exposed to strong crosswinds, or when passing bridges, high-sided vehicles or gaps in trees

For further information, please visit www.highways.gov.uk/winter

BE AWARE

In severe weather please give Highways Agency winter teams the time and space to do their job

The Highways Agency has a network of weather stations, road surface temperature monitors and other technology. However, even if the time and location of snowfall is perfectly forecast, work to clear the snow can’t start until after it has fallen and it will take time to treat the road with salt to reduce the risk of ice.

The Agency has updated its fleet in recent years and now has:

• Almost 500 winter service vehicles (snow blowers, and salt spreaders with snowplough attachments) at more than 100 depots across its network
• Salt barns with a capacity of more than a quarter of a million tonnes of salt

How you can help?

In severe weather, problems on the roads can easily multiply. If you get stuck going up a hill for example, then others can become stuck behind you, and then rescue services and winter clearance teams will find it harder to get through. Try to keep moving steadily in as high a gear as possible.

In severe weather you will also need to allow more time for your journey. When it is forecast are you able to change your plans - can you work at home for example?

If, when it snows heavily, everyone rushes onto the roads to make their journey it could mean struggling through difficult conditions, and the extra traffic will make access more complicated for the Highways Agency’s winter service teams. By delaying your journey it could help to give the winter service teams the time and space to do their job.

Even better, check the weather forecast and try to get home ahead of the snowfall for example.

For further information, please visit www.highways.gov.uk/winter