Blog posts tagged ‘ice’

With snow and ice covering most of the side roads, and many of the main roads in the area, very few tests have taken place this week. The tests are being cancelled for reasons of safety for you the candidate as well as for the examiner.

With no imminent end to the cold weather in sight, the outlook is a little bleak for tests in the week of Monday 11 January onwards. If you have a test booked during this period, all you can do is to follow the instructions on the appointment letter and call your test centre on the day of the test. There is normally someone in the office from 8.00am. If your test is cancelled due to adverse weather, then you will receive a new date and time in the post in due course.
 

The phone number for the Kings Heath Test Centre (Maypole) is

0121 430 5294

Although spring is fast approaching and winter is on the way out, there will still be times when the weather seems to be against us drivers. Unseasonal snow showers, heavy frosts and icy patches are still just one arctic blast away.  But it’s not just freezing conditions that we have to face and adapt to when the need arises. Heavy rain, fog and strong winds are all factors to take into consideration when driving.

So here are a few tips to help you get through safely when the forces of nature conspire against you.

Snow and ice:

• Ensure that your tyres have at least the legal tread depth of 1.6mm and preferably more than 3mm (the highways agency recommendation for wintery conditions).
• Reduce your speed considerably – patches of ice can be hard to see and you may not be aware that you are on one until it’s too late if you are travelling too fast.
• Make your driving smooth and avoid heavy braking, acceleration and jerky gear changes.
• Drive in the highest gear possible to reduce power to the wheels.
• De mist and de-ice windows thoroughly prior to starting your journey.
• Stop frequently to clean windows, lights and number plates.

Heavy rain:

• Increase the distance between you and other vehicles by dropping back as it can take twice as long to stop
• Ensure that your windscreen wipers are effective and in good working order.
• Ensure windows remain clear of mist.
• Beware of spray on roads where vehicles are travelling at higher speeds such as motorways and dual carriageways

Strong winds:

• Look out for the wind trying to push your vehicle off course
• Give other road users more clearance as they may be blown into your path.  In particular look out for high sided vehicles (trucks, caravans and buses etc), cyclists and motorcyclists.
• Look out for flying debris such as dustbins that can be blown into the road.

Fog:

• Use dipped headlights
• If visibility is seriously reduced (less than 100m) use front and rear fog lights (if fitted to your vehicle).   Remember to turn these off when visibility improves, otherwise you could be breaking the law, and dazzling other road users.

Most importantly in extreme examples of all of the above situations, limit your driving to journeys that are absolutely necessary. Plan your journeys carefully and listen to traffic reports in the media – these can highlight areas to avoid such as roads badly affected by snow or flooding.