As winter takes hold, the roads become treacherous with snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. These challenging driving conditions often lead to increased accidents, especially with the recent shift to daylight savings.

At One Sure Insurance , we understand the importance of staying safe on the road during the colder months. Our team of experts is here to share five invaluable winter driving tips to ensure you drive confidently and safely.

1. Ensure you’re visible.

Since the nights have started to draw in, your visibility and that of other drivers will be impacted. Adding snow, ice and rain on top of darkness sounds like a recipe for disaster. To help combat this lack of visibility, you’ll need to keep checking that your lights and window wipers work. 

Many drivers forget to check these essentials and find themselves without working lights or wipers when they really need them. Fog and hazard lights are another necessity that many motorists forget to check is in working order. Make sure to go through all of your lights, to be on the safe side. And as for the wipers? Keep them topped up with water and windscreen wash. You can even go the extra mile and add a dash of anti-freeze.

2. Watch your speed and stopping distance.

Winter usually means plenty of rain and snow. While this can make your home town look like it belongs in a Christmas movie, it unfortunately creates chaos on the roads. 

When the roads are slippery due to rain, your stopping distance is doubled and on frosty roads, this goes up ten times more. Make sure to keep an eye on your speed and maintain a safe stopping distance from the cars in front of you. It could not only save you from an accident but others too.

3. Follow ‘car hacks’ with caution.

Winter driving tips are all the rage on social media. We understand the temptation to test them. Maybe that one hack can make life suddenly much easier. However, it can also completely damage your vehicle.

Approach ‘car hacks’ with a degree of scepticism and thoroughly investigate anything that appears too good to be true. Many of these ‘car hack’ videos have been made with plenty of editing, so what you see may not be real. Some hacks may prove less effective than they appear on platforms like TikTok or Instagram reels. Certain methods could potentially harm your vehicle. Depending on your car insurance policy, this type of damage may not be covered by your policy.

4. Have an emergency kit in the boot. 

Unforeseen battery failures, accidents, and prolonged traffic delays, particularly in the colder months, can be especially challenging. Storing an emergency kit in your car boot can be a lifesaver. We strongly advise purchasing a driver’s emergency kit or assembling your own personalised supply bag over time. 

To get you started, we suggest  the following:

• An in-car phone charger.
• Information such as your policy documents and your claims number.
• A blanket (ideally thermal)
• Hand warmers – you can find both disposable and USB-chargeable ones
• Paper maps
• Torches
• Spare batteries
• Fully charged power banks 
• A visibility vest
• Jump cables 
• Screenwash
• Window de-icer
• An ice scraper
• Water and non-perishable snacks
• Warning triangles in case of an accident or breakdown

5. Be extra Cautious on icy roads.

Black ice poses a substantial hazard in winter. Approximately one in ten road accidents can be attributed to black ice, with drivers often exacerbating the situation by panicking and slamming on the brakes.

While braking might be an instinctive response, it is advisable to avoid abrupt movements if you encounter black ice. Strive to remain calm and gently steer in the desired direction.

Claims and support at One Sure Insurance

Whether you want to ensure your van insurance has additional coverage or you have a few questions about your car insurance policy, we’re here for you. Call us on 0800 912 0128 with any queries if you need our support. For more information on making a claim, check out our guide: How To Make An Insurance Claim.