Spend the festive period with your loved ones
and not with us.
As the temperature drops, MAWWFRS would like to
alert everyone to the dangers of cold weather conditions, particularly on the
road.
The Road Safety Team is urging all drivers to
consider their routes and bear in mind that rural roads and lanes are particularly
dangerous in icier conditions. Remember to give yourself plenty of time you
need to drive with care, especially in the event of unexpected hold-ups.
Deputy Head of Community Safety, Steve Davies
advises, “Driving during poor wintry conditions requires a different approach
and by making some simple changes to driving habits, drivers can reduce their
chances of being involved in a collision”
He added, “At this time of year, driving
conditions can be treacherous. I urge motorists to be prepared to drive
with care and adjust their driving to suit the conditions”
Please bear in mind the following points when
driving this winter:
- Check forecasts
and traffic news, both local and national
- Keep your
windscreen clear and regularly top up your washer bottle with screen wash,
keep windows and mirrors thoroughly demisted and clear of ice and
snow.
- Get your car
ready for winter and treat it to a winter service. Breakdowns are more
common at this time of year
- Inform someone
of your intended route and time of arrival
- Keep your
distance. Stopping distances are ten times longer in ice and snow
- Drive gently in
icy conditions. Avoid harsh braking and acceleration or sharp steering and
most importantly remember to reduce your speed.
- Put together a
winter emergency kit containing the following essential items: ice-scraper
and de-icer, a high-visibility vest, warning triangle, mobile phone for
use only when parked, torch, snacks, bottled water, blanket, warm clothes,
boots and a first-aid kit.
Corporate Head of Prevention & Protection,
Mydrian Harries
“At this time of year where the weather makes driving more hazardous,
along with increased volumes of traffic as we approach the Christmas holiday
period, road traffic collisions are more likely to occur. I would appeal
to everyone that drive on our roads to take extra care; by allowing more time
for their journeys, as well as refraining from using any mobile devices as we
know it distracts the driver’s level of concentration and is a contributory
factor in road traffic collisions”.
For more information on Winter Road Safety
please click here,
or please contact the Road Safety Team at RTC@mawwfire.gov.uk