Road Safety Preparations: Things to Consider Before You Hit the Road

Recently the UK has been hit with some severe weather thanks to Storms Doris and Ewan. Both of which delivered winds in excess of 50mph! 

For the duration of the storms there were various road closures, including some on major motorways, such as the M6. In events like this, it is imperative that you are prepared for the worst case scenario and are prepared to potentially not arrive at your final destination, much later than expected.

In light of the storms and the adverse weather conditions, we’ve decided to highlight just a few precautions you can take to ensure you’re always  prepared for the most hazardous of weather conditions.

Service Log

Regular maintenance keeps everything mechanic running like clockwork; this applies to vehicles too. Different vehicles have different servicing schedules, but it is important that you stick to these to keep your vehicle running smoothly.

The last thing you’ll want if you’re driving in adverse weather conditions is for your vehicle to let you down. Having your vehicle serviced on schedule will not only increase your vehicle’s reliability, but it will also increase your driving safety. You may be the safest driver in the UK, but your driving is only as safe as the vehicle you’re driving. No one can predict if or when your vehicle is going to let you down, but checks on your engine, your tyres and ignition can significantly increase your safety whilst driving, even in stormy conditions.

If your vehicle is 3 years or older, then you are legally required to have it checked and tested for road worthiness; this is more commonly known as an MoT. If you meet your vehicle’s servicing needs and schedule then it’s highly unlikely your vehicle will fail its MoT and your vehicle will always be road ready.

Take a Break

Driving long distances at the best of times can be tiring, but adding stormy weather to the equation can make the journey that bit more tedious.

The Highway Code recommends that drivers take a break every two hours for at least fifteen minutes. Being stuck and stationary in long traffic jams doesn’t count towards these ‘breaks’ as you are still on the road and concentrating on the traffic around you.

Service Stations are dotted all over Motorways in the UK. Currently, there are 82 Service Stations on our Motorways which span approximately 2110 miles! At these stations, there are amenities such as coffee shops, petrol stations and even motels.

So, should you find yourself more tired than usual, come off the Motorway at the next opportunity and pull into a service station. You can stretch your legs, get a drink, go for a toilet break and even book in for a sleep! After stopping at the services, you’ll feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle the traffic.

Pack the Essentials  

When we say ‘essentials’ we mean preparing your car for an emergency situation or accident. Stocking your car up on First Aid necessities such as plasters, gauze dressings, safety pins and rubber gloves helps you prepare for any eventuality whilst on the road, should something happen to you, your passenger or someone else on the road.

Adverse weather can lead to serious accidents on the road, so having the equipment to assist in these situations will ensure you’re prepared for almost any emergency.

It’s also advisable to keep an extra jumper, a blanket, water and dried food in your car. This means, if you’re stuck in your car for a prolonged amount of time, you can keep warm and stay hydrated and properly fuelled to see you to your end destination.

Drive Safe

For the majority of the people, driving is their main form of transport and adverse weather can challenge the norm when it comes to commuting or leisure travelling.

Ensuring you and your vehicle is prepared is the key to being able to confidently face storms like Doris and Ewan.

So, after reading this, have you had some thoughts about what you could do to ensure you’re safer when on the road? Maybe you faced Doris or Ewan unknowingly and didn’t prepare, or maybe you prepared for your journey in advance, realising there was adverse weather predicted. Either way, we want to hear from you. Share your experiences over on Twitter with us and Tweet us @imptraining with the hashtags #StormDoris and/ or #StormEwan.