Highways Agency - Driving in Severe Weather

Driving in Severe Weather

In winter we keep our motorways and trunk roads as clear of ice and snow as we can to help you get to your destination safely.  You'll see our salt spreaders and snow ploughs out on the roads whenever freezing temperatures are forecast.

But severe weather is not just about snow and ice, it includes strong winds and floods too.  So we work closely with the Met Office throughout the year so we've got the latest information on weather conditions on our roads.  That way we can warn you well in advance of any severe weather that might be approaching.

Driving in fog

 - Use dipped headlights so other drivers can see you. 

 - If it's really foggy (less than 100m visibility) and you can't see much, then switch your fog lights on. Switch them off once conditions have improved so they don't dazzle drivers behind you. 

 - Fog is often patchy so try not to speed up as visibility improves.  You could suddenly find yourself back in thick fog further up the road.

Driving through ice and snow

 - Check for snow on the roof of the vehicle before you drive off.  It can slip down over the windscreen and obscure your view. 

 - If your tyres are making virtually no noise this could be a sign you're driving on ice. 

 - If your vehicle skids depress the clutch and turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid. When the vehicle straightens steer along the road. Don't brake - it will lock up your wheels and you'll skid further.

Driving in the rain

 - When the road's wet, it can take up to twice as long to stop so it makes sense to slow down when it's raining. 

 - If your vehicle loses its grip, or aquaplanes, on surface water take your foot off the accelerator to slow down.  Don't brake or steer suddenly because you have no control of the steering or brakes.

Driving in windy weather

 - In very windy weather we advise you to take extra care on the roads and plan your journeys  by checking the latest weather conditions. 

 - High-sided vehicles are particularly affected by windy weather but strong gusts can blow a vehicle, cyclist, motorcyclist, or horse rider of course.  This could happen on open stretches of road exposed to strong crosswinds, or when crossing bridges and passing high-sided vehicles.

Floods

 - If you can avoid it, it's best not to drive through lying surface water as you might flood your engine.  The deepest water is usually nearest the kerb. 

 - If you do have to drive through flooded roads, use first gear.  Move forward immediately to avoid stalling the engine. Keep your revs high and slip your clutch when you need to. 

 - Test your brakes after passing through the water.  If they work then you can drive on at your usual speed providing it's safe to do so.

Breaking down on the motorway

 - Pull onto the hard shoulder, park as far over to the left as you can, away from traffic, and turn on your hazard warning lights. 

 - Get yourself and any passengers out of the vehicle immediately, using the doors on the left hand side furthest from the traffic.  While you wait for help, keep well away from the carriageway and hard shoulder and do not try even the simplest of repairs. 

 - Try to use the emergency roadside telephones rather than a mobile phone.  This will help Highways Agency Traffic Officers and emergency services know exactly where you are. 

Take an emergency kit - here's what we recommend you put in the boot:

 - Take a scraper and de-icer 

 - Torch 

 - Warm clothes and a blanket 

 - A pair of boots 

 - First-aid kit 

 - Battery jump leads 

 - A shovel if it's likely to snow 

 - Food and a warm drink in a flask for particularly cold weather

You can get all the latest information on road conditions on England's motorways and trunk roads by visiting our website at www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo, or Traffic Radio available on Digital Radio or via the internet on www.trafficradio.org.uk. Additionally, thanks to the NEC and the Highways Agency you can tune in to 1386am for live traffic information within a 5 mile radius of the NEC so be sure to tune in on your way to and way home from the Show.

For information on weather conditions, consult the Met Office website at www.metoffice.gov.uk or listen to local radio for up to date broadcasts.