subject: Ten Tips About Driving In Winter [print this page] When the cold weather arrives, it is always a good time to check over your vehicle to make sure you avoid problems that wintry conditions can bring. Avoid being late for work because your car wont start by taking a few preventative measures before the snow falls.
1.Before winter sets in, have your car checked out by a professional mechanic to ensure the ignition, the carburettor, the fan belts etc., are in good working order, and wont present any problems later on.
2.Also get the battery checked to see if a new one is needed before winter. There is nothing worse than a faulty battery in cold, icy conditions, when all you want to do is get home, and the car wont start. Replace your battery if required in plenty of time for winter.
3.Have your spark plugs checked and replaced with new ones if necessary, and get a mechanic to check the cables to the plugs also, to make sure they are in good working order.
4.Check to see if air or fuel filters need to be replaced, which will prevent problems later on, and replace or add more anti-freeze to the cooling system or get a mechanic to drain the old fluid and replace it with antifreeze and water.
5.Make sure windscreen washer fluid is topped up during the winter months, as there is nothing worse than being stuck behind a truck which is throwing up slush and snow onto your windscreen, without being able to clear the screen.
6.Keep some emergency supplies in the boot of your car, including a first aid kit, a warm coat, a blanket, a torch, a shovel and old matting or part of a rug to help you dig the car out if you get stuck. Sand or salt should also be carried and put in front of the wheels if you are snowed in.
7.Make sure your windscreen wipers are working properly, and if they are getting worn out, replace them before the winter weather begins. This may seem obvious, but if you cant clear your screen, your visibility will be severely hampered, which could cause a serious accident.
8.Make sure your windscreen defroster and rear window de-icer is working, which will help you improve visibility in cold conditions.
9.Drive slowly, and remember, that even if you have an important appointment or meeting to get to, your safety, and that of your passengers must take priority over punctuality.
10.Keep the car radio on and listen to local weather reports so you know what to expect in the next hour or two.
If you are unfortunate enough to suffer an accident or injury after a road traffic accident that was not your fault, contact a personal injury solicitor who will give you free advice about claiming compensation. Choose a no win, no fee solicitor who is regulated in the UK, and one who will pay you 100% of any compensation.
More than 300,000 people suffer accidents and injury on the roads in the UK each year, and many of them cause fatalities. You are well within your rights to make a claim for compensation if someone else caused an accident that you were involved in. Whether minor injury, such as whiplash took place, or more serious injuries, including fractures and head injury was caused, you should contact a solicitor who will explain your rights regarding compensation.
