Stay safe on the roads this Christmas

Unsurprisingly, with the long, dark nights and icy conditions, winter is by far the most dangerous time of year to drive. Here are some helpful DOs and DON’Ts to make sure you make it home safely this Christmas.

DO… drive with your lights on. Visibility can be poor at this time of year so it’s vital you can see and be seen.

DON’T… overtake snow ploughs or gritting vehicles. They may be slow but you can be sure the road ahead is far more dangerous.

DO… clean your lights and windows. There’s no point having headlights if they’re covered over with snow or ice. The same goes for your windows.

DON’T… drive on bad tyres. Check the thread on your tyres. Anything less than 3mm and they may need to be replaced.

DO… keep an eye out for animals. Some of our furry friends may accidentally wander out onto our roads in poorly lit areas. Keep this in mind, especially in parts of the country with a history of such incidents.

DON’T… panic if you skid. Take your foot off the accelerator and wait. As the tyres skid to the side they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, turn the wheel in the direction the tyres are facing and slowly accelerate.

DO… use low gears. This will help with traction – especially on hills.

DON’T… drive on black ice. Black ice can be difficult to spot. Look out for a slight sheen on the surface of the road and avoid it all costs.

DO… wait an extra second when the lights turn green. That way you can make sure cars coming the other way have safely stopped and it’s safe for you to drive on.

DON’T… go crazy in your 4x4. Even vehicles built for off-road driving can struggle in wintry conditions. Drive slowly and carefully at all times.

DO… take extra care on bridges and quiet roads. These will always freeze the quickest. Even at temperatures above freezing, you may find ice in these areas. Take an alternative route if possible.

DON’T… make unnecessary journeys.

Stay safe and have a great holiday season.

All the best,

The Team at GMIB.ie