Driving Lessons Gloucester - Driving In Poor Weather - Part 6 - Snow and Ice (Continued.)

This is part B of the "Driving In Poor Weather" post and we'll have a look at cornering on ice and snow, starting off on snow, climbing hills on snow and ice and dealing with other vehicles on snow and ice.
As we said in part A of this post, only drive in snow and ice if it's really necessary, so if you do venture out, this should help you to get back in one piece.

Cornering on ice and snow.
Timing is all important in these conditions and slow down enough, so that you do not have to use your brakes on a bend or corner.
Approach a corner at a steady low speed, using as high a gear as possible.

• Use the accelerator gently.
• Avoid using the clutch wherever possible.
• Steer smoothly - avoid sudden movements.
• Come out of the turn as carefully as you went into it.

Starting off on snow.
If your wheels spin when you are moving off on snow, don't race the engine because the wheels will dig in further.
Try to move the car slightly backwards and then forwards out of the rut, using the highest gear you can.
It's worth carrying an old sack or towel and a spade, to dig out and provide grip to help you get going.

Climbing hills on ice and snow.
It is obviously necessary to keep your speed low in slippery conditions, but this essential safety measure can create other problems.
You could lose momentum going uphill and trying to accelerate and regain speed can cause wheel-spin and loss of control.
If you are forced to stop, it may be difficult to get started again.
Keep a generous distance from other vehicles, so that if they stop, you may be able to get past without stopping.
Use the highest possible gear where possible to avoid wheel spin.
Avoid changing gear as much as possible, as it takes very delicate footwork to avoid wheel-spin and loss of speed.

Other vehicles on snow and ice.
Use engine braking where possible to avoid other vehicles, but if you have to use the brake pedal, be as gentle as possible.
Avoid braking and steering at the same time in icy conditions.
Check and assess what's ahead, looking for escape routes.

If you would like to learn more about these techniques in your driving lessons, why not start learning to drive in Gloucester now with John Lowe Driving. Our driving instructors are always ready to help.

Call us on 01452313713.

http://www.drivinglessonsgloucester.org

Driving Lessons Gloucester - Driving In Poor Weather - Part 6 - Snow and Ice.

This is quite a big subject, so I will break it into 2 posts. This is post A.

These days, weather forecasts are so frequent and usually accurate, that it can't really be said that the snow or ice was a surprise, so if it's forecast, ask yourself if your car journey is really necessary.

If it's essential that you go out in snow and ice, look after yourself by carrying a spade, warm clothing, a warm drink and some food in case things get really held up.

I once lived in Wembley and getting home from work one night in a snowstorm (a necessary journey!), I arrived at the bottom of Blackbird Hill, near the stadium at about 6:30 pm and it was gridlock on ice, and I didn't reach the top (about half a mile) until 11pm! I really could have used a warm drink and some food that night, as well as a spade.

Driving in snow.

Falling snow will reduce your visibility, so use your dipped headlights, as you would in heavy rain or fog. Snow that is falling, or freshly fallen will not really cause you any problems, provided you stick to a few basic rules:

• Increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front.
• Test your brakes every so often. Packed snow behind the front wheels and around the brakes can affect steering and braking.
• Keep your windscreen and lights clear, by hand if necessary, so you can see and be seen.
• Clear your rear window before setting off, and keep it clear.

Road Markings.

Remember that snow will blanket any road markings, so that even familiar roads can appear strange, so take extra care.

Braking on Snow and Ice.

All but the most gentle braking will lock your wheels on packed snow and ice.

If your front wheels lock, you can't steer. If you can't steer, you're in trouble. It would be like driving blindfolded!

Get into a lower gear earlier, allowing your speed to drop, and then brake gently and early to keep your speed controlled.

Braking distances on ice can easily be ten times further than normal.

Anti-lock brakes will not compensate for poor judgement and excessive speed on snow and ice, as they cannot help your tyres to stay in contact with the road surface.

Ice.

Driving on ice should be avoided whenever possible. It's even more dangerous when the roads are just beginning to freeze or thaw, as the combination of water and ice makes an extremely slippery mixture.

Black Ice.

This type of ice is especially dangerous, as it's invisible. It's usually caused by rain freezing on the road surface as it falls, and your steering will feel very light, as if you were aquaplaning.
If the road looks wet, but there is no sound from the tyres, you will be on ice, so,

• Keep your speed down.
• Treat every control - brakes, gas pedal, steering, clutch and gears - very delicately.

In the next post, we will continue on the subject of driving in snow and ice, but if you would like to hear more from one of our driving instructors, or would like to start your driving lessons in Gloucester, with John Lowe Driving,

Call us on 01452313713.

Warm Regards,

John Lowe,

http://www.drivinglessonsgloucester.org

Driving Lessons Gloucester - Driving In Poor Weather - Part 5 - Fog.

Fog is a weather condition that can make driving extremely hazardous and around Christmas time 2016, there have been some nasty accidents resulting in loss of life and serious injuries, occuring in foggy conditions. 

There were several multi vehicle pile ups in one day on the M5 motorway and a few days later, two coaches full of travellers swerved off the motorway and finished up on their sides in a field. 

Very unpleasant and dangerous, probably caused by fog. 

Could these tragic accidents have been avoided? Sitting here in my office, there is no way of knowing, but the police and Highways Agency, will draw their conclusions in due course.

As with all aspects of driving, it is possible to minimise the risk if the weather is foggy and some basic precautions can keep you safe out there.
Let's take a look at them.

• Look around before you start a journey! It will be obvious if it's foggy, so be ready.

If possible, cancel your journey and do something else. If you have to drive, allow time to check your lights and windscreen and give yourself more time for the journey. 

When you are on the road, beware of fog patches, where the density of the fog is variable. It can go from being fairly clear to very dense in a few seconds, so avoid speeding up in the clear patches.

Warning
If the fog is very dense and you can see the rear lights of the vehicle in front of you,

You're probably too close to stop safely in an emergency!

• Use of lights in fog.

It's crucial to see and be seen when it's foggy, so the use of your fog lights can be a safety bonus.

In daylight. If your visibility is reduced by fog, you must use your dipped headlights and / or front fog lights, as you'll be seen from a greater distance than just sidelights and they will not dazzle other drivers or pedestrians.

Resist using main beam headlights, as the beam will reflect back from the fog and dazzle you! You will be blinded by your own lights.

At dusk. Use dipped beams.

At night. In darkness you will probably rely on fog lights and dipped beams, perhaps alternating as the thickness of the fog varies.

Rear fog lights. Use them only if visibility is seriously reduced to less than 100 metres and remember to switch them off when visibility improves - it is the law.

Using different lights. Adjust and change your lights as the conditions change. 
For example, if you are in a traffic queue, it would be a good thing to temporarily switch off your rear fog lights, to avoid dazzling the driver behind, as he knows that you are there.

Driving in fog. Poor visibility caused by fog makes driving difficult and is a strain on the eyes and your sense of anticipation is dangerously reduced. 

It becomes much harder to judge speed and distance, vital considerations for safe driving, when outlines become blurred.

How can you deal with this?

• Slow down.
• Make sure you are able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear.
• Use your windscreen wipers.
• Use demisters, aircon, or heated windscreen to keep windows clear.
• Use all available lights to see and be seen.

Important considerations in fog.

• Resist overtaking. It might be a lot denser ahead.
• Remember to take extra care at junctions, especially when turning right.
• It's harder to see cycles, pedestrians and motorbikes in fog.
• Avoid driving on top of the centre line. A driver coming towards you might be doing the same.
• Park sensibly off road.

If you would like to know more about driving in fog and poor weather, or you would be interested in driving lessons in Gloucester with a friendly instructor, we have everything you need here at John Lowe Driving.

Call us on 01452313713.

Best Regards,

John Lowe.

http://www.drivinglessonsgloucester.org

Driving Lessons Gloucester - Driving In Poor Weather - Part 4 - Crosswinds.

Looking back on the year, in the last couple of weeks of December, the weather has been rather windy a lot of the time. Driving in wind is not usually a big problem, unless it is exceptionally strong, bringing down branches and throwing debris around. If conditions are that bad, as they occasionally are, then it's best to not go out until things settle down.

However, crosswinds can surprise a driver and can be very dangerous.

Crosswinds are strong gusts of wind coming sideways across the road and can make some vehicles become unstable, which could affect you.

Vehicles such as high sided lorries, towed caravans, trailers and horse boxes etc., particularly if they are empty and light can be pushed and pulled by crosswinds, and sometimes overturned, especially on exposed roads such as motorways, viaducts and bridges.
Be particularly careful when you are overtaking, or being overtaken in windy conditions, by these sorts of vehicles.

Cyclists and motorcyclists.

In windy conditions be aware of cyclists and motorcyclists being blown sideways into your path. Allow extra room when overtaking.

If you would like to learn to drive, why not try us at driving lessons Gloucester for beginners.

Call us on 01452 313713.

Best Regards,

John Lowe.

http://www.drivinglessonsgloucester.org

Driving Lessons Gloucester - Driving In Poor Weather - Part 3 - Wet Roads.

Our roads are wet a lot of the time in this country of ours, so driving in the wet is taken largely for granted, but wet roads can be sometimes dangerous. 

Let's have a look at some of the problems that can come your way when the roads are wet.

Tyre grip.

Wet roads reduce the grip that your tyres have on the road surface, so give yourself plenty of time and space for slowing down and stopping. 

As always, keep your distance from other vehicles, but this is particularly important in the wet and you should allow at least double the braking distance than for a dry road.

After a dry spell, an invisible layer of rubber, from vehicle tyres, can build up on the road surface and if it then rains, this can make the surface even more slippery, so take extra care, especially when cornering.

Road surfaces can vary from time to time, (tarmac, concrete) and this might affect your tyre grip.

Also ensure you have sufficient tread on your tyres, as the less tread, the greater the braking distance. Change your tyres if they are wearing down.

Aquaplaning.

Aquaplaning is an unpleasant experience, caused when your tyres completely loose contact with the road surface in very wet weather.

Sounds impossible?

When driving at speed, aquaplaning is caused by a build up of water between your tyre and the road, causing your car to slide on a thin film of water as the tyres lose contact with the road surface. Even good tyres cannot grip in this situation and you will have no control over braking or steering, as your tyres are no longer touching the road.

If your steering suddenly feels light in wet weather, you are probably aquaplaning.

When this happens, slow down by  easing off the accelerator, as there is no point in braking. Higher speeds will make the chances of aquaplaning higher, so in wet weather, keep your speed down and avoid driving into pools and puddles, as this is a major cause.

Your brakes.

Water can reduce the effect of your brakes, so make sure you test them in a safe area, to confirm they are working normally.

Spray.

Spray is the water thrown up by other vehicles on wet roads, so keep your speed down to reduce the problem.

Overtaking, or being overtaken by heavy vehicles on a motorway or dual carriageway can be a traumatic experience, as you can be temporarily blinded by spray, even with your wipers at full speed.

Floods.

If you have to drive through a flood, don't rush in. Stop and gauge how deep the water is. Some roads which are prone to flooding have a depth gauge, so check it before you enter.

If the water is too deep, turn back and choose a different route, don't risk it. 

If in doubt, don't go!

If the water is too deep it could flood into your exhaust, or enter the air intake, causing the engine to stop and probably causing serious engine damage.

Shallow water.

If the water is not too deep, drive slowly, but keep to the shallowest part of the road, which is normally the crown, along the centre. 
Drive in first gear as slowly as possible, but with high engine speed, by slipping the clutch.

• If the engine speed is too low, you could stall.
• If you drive too fast, you could create a wave that might enter your engine, causing it to cut out.

Remember, engines and water don't mix!

When you are safely through, test your brakes when it's safe and dry them if necessary, by applying light pressure to the brake pedal as you drive along. 

If you would like to take driving lessons and pass your driving test in Gloucester with a friendly instructor, call us on 01452 313713, we'd love to help you.

Best regards,

John Lowe. 

http://www.drivinglessonsgloucester.org  

 

 

Driving Lessons Gloucester - Driving In Poor Weather - Part 2 - Weather and Vision.

When you drive your car on any journey, it's pretty obvious that you have to be able to see properly to drive properly. 

That's why cars have windows, right?

Windows aren't much use if you can't see through them and the weather can cause you problems with clear vision. However, before the weather can do it's worse, you must make sure that your windows and mirrors are always clean. 

Have a regular routine of checking and cleaning and always give them a "once over" after you have driven in a situation where your windows will be dirty. Following lorries for example can leave your car covered in muck.

Wipers and washers.

Make sure your wiper blades are efficient and if they are smearing or missing, get them changed. It's quite easy to do the job yourself, or you can ask your mechanic, or shops such as Halfords will do it after you have purchased the wipers, for a very small cost. This way the fitter will make sure you have the correct blades as well, which is important.

Make sure the washers are working properly and keep the reservoir topped up with the correct liquid, which can be bought at any petrol station. It helps:

• In winter to prevent freezing. Water alone will freeze if it's cold enough, making the washers useless.
• In summer to clear insect remains and smears from the windscreen.

If your car requires an MOT certificate, faulty wipers and washers will result in a fail.
If you are learning to drive, you will learn about wipers and washers and how to use them and may be tested on them in the "show me/tell me" questions.

Misting up.

Misting up of the windows and mirror inside the car generally occurs when the weather is cool and can seriously affect your vision. It can occur even on a summers day after a rain shower.

If you are carrying passengers, with everybody breathing and talking, misting up can be sudden and severe.

• Have a dry cloth to hand in the car and use it to clean all inside glass.
• Drying the windows before you set off will help.
• Use your demisters. Make sure you know how to operate them. Again this is now part of the driving test. The driving instructors at John Lowe Driving will ensure that you fully understand washers, wipers and demisters, as part of your driving lessons. Many of the more modern cars have a heated windscreen, as well as a heated rear window, so use them early.
• Opening your windows will assist in clearing mist.

Make yourself familiar with the vehicles' handbook and follow the advice regarding heating, ventilation and demisting, appropriate to your particular car.

There are plenty of accessories available, such as glass cleaning liquids, de-icers and ready prepared cloths, but warm dry air works best when the engine has warmed up.

Icy weather.

If the weather is icy, your windows and screen can be frozen over. Don't attempt to drive until they have been cleared.

Allow yourself extra time to sort this out, waiting until your demister and heater are working effectively.

Avoid damaging your wiper blades by switching them on when they are frozen onto the window. This can cause the rubber blade to split apart from its base.

Avoid pouring boiling water onto the window, as this can crack the glass, although I have found ordinary hot tap water to work well.

Rain.

Rain can drastically reduce your vision through the windscreen, windows and door mirrors and this of course affects all other drivers as well, so use your dipped headlights so you can be seen.
Keep the glass clean, as this will enable the wipers to work better.

If you take care of all the points in this post, you will not be taken by surprise by unpleasant weather conditions and remember, don't drive unless you can see fully all round.

If you want to start learning to drive in Gloucester,

Call John Lowe Driving on 01452 313713.

Best Regards,

John Lowe.

http://www.drivinglessonsgloucester.org

Driving Lessons Gloucester - Driving In Poor Weather - Your Vehicle.

Todays date is November 25th, 2016, a month until Christmas. So far this autumn, there has been one named storm, Angus, which bought some torrential rain and flooding in some areas, but other than that, the weather has been fairly tame. We have had some rain, some wind and the odd frosty morning, but we all know that this will almost certainly deteriorate at this time of year, with the winter approaching fast.

This series of posts will look at driving in poor weather and how to keep safe.

We will look at the following subjects:

• Your vehicle.
• Weather and vision.
• Wet roads.
• Crosswinds.
• Fog.
• Snow and ice.
• Skidding.

OK, so before you can venture out for a drive, into poor winter weather, you obviously need a car, so we'll start this series with:

Your Vehicle.

Whatever the time of year, your car should be kept in good condition and checked regularly and serviced when needed. Don't skimp on these requirements, as you probably won't save any money overall and you are more likely to avoid costly, expensive and dangerous breakdowns.

The two crucial areas to be confident with are your tyres and brakes in poor weather.

Tyres.

Tyre condition and pressure should be regularly checked. 

Make sure they have a good tread depth, no less than 2mm across the whole tyre surface (1.6mm is the legal minimum.) and check the tyre walls for damage that can often be seen as cuts and bulges. 

Check that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure which can be found in your handbook. This can save you money in fuel costs as well. 

Don't forget to check the inside tyre walls.

Another important check is for uneven wear on the tread, which can be caused by a mechanical fault such as poor tracking. Get your car checked over and have the fault corrected and then replace the tyre. 

Simply replacing the tyre without the repair will mean the new tyre will wear out badly as well.

Try to always be prepared, don't wait for the bad weather to take you by surprise, as then it may be too late, as your safety could depend on a few millimetres of rubber that was missing.

The area of your tyre in contact with the road surface is about the same as the sole of your shoe, so make sure it's up to the job! 

Good tyres are vital in snow, ice and rain.

Brakes.

Ensure your brakes are kept in good condition, as stopping takes much longer on wet, slippery roads, even with perfect brakes. Give yourself a chance!

John Lowe Driving offers driving lessons in Gloucester with friendly instructors, so why not call us to get started on:

01452 614226.

We'd love to hear from you.

Best Regards,

John Lowe.

http://www.drivinglessonsgloucester.org