Chaos Predicted Again This Winter As Drivers Fail To Prepare

Half the nation's 34 million drivers are not prepared for another harsh winter on the country's roads, according Continental Tyres.

The study showed that despite heavy snowfall twice bringing Britain to a standstill earlier this year millions of motorists are still failing to heed warnings and prepare for driving in cold weather during dark winter months.

The research revealed that nearly half (45 per cent) will not bother to check their tyres have the legal tread depth and only around one in four (28 per cent) drivers will bother stowing water, warm clothes and food in their vehicles as temperatures plummet.

It also emerged the majority of drivers won't bother with other basic safety measures and routine maintenance like checking tyre pressure or adding anti-freeze to radiators.

In January alone over three million motorists admitted they had bumped, scraped or slid into another vehicle or obstacle as snow and ice gripped Britain. A further 45 per cent had two or more near misses during a particularly difficult two-week period.

Continental’s second annual safety study was timed to coincide with the launch of the website www.whywintertyres.co.uk which offers winter driving advice and information on how winter tyres can improve road safety through better braking performance.

The research identified that nearly half (47 per cent) of Brits are unaware that winter tyres exist, despite the fact that they dramatically improve stopping distances, ensuring safer driving over the winter months.

Yesterday Tracey Hyem, a safety expert for Continental Tyres which carried out the research among 3,000 drivers nationwide, said: ''We are not getting the message and that means more misery this winter as too many on the roads simply fail to prepare for the conditions we will face.

''We know what to expect. It is going to be darker in the mornings as we drive to work and lower temperatures will mean ice will become a factor both at the start and the end of the day. Even if it doesn’t reach freezing point the rubber compound used in normal tyres starts to harden below seven degrees meaning less grip on the road and longer stopping distances. All drivers are advised to fit winter tyres which are developed specifically to work more effectively in colder temperatures. All good tyre retailers will stock them and can give advice to motorists.

"It also emerged seven out of ten drivers won't be carrying a warning triangle while a similar number won't have jump leads to re-start a flat battery or oil and water to top up levels in their motor.

Another seven out of ten won't have a first aid pack while three out of ten won't even have a spare tyre in the boot. The worrying stats emerged despite two-thirds of drivers vowing they will be better prepared this year than last. Continental Tyres also revealed how millions of drivers are dreading taking to the roads this winter, with many even handing the keys to their other half. One in three motorists went as far as to say they avoided driving when possible as soon as the clocks go back. The study found that last winter half of all motorists had to dig their car out of snow, one in five were pushed when stuck and one in 12 had to abandon their vehicle.

Four in ten admit they have an 'it won't happen to me attitude' when it comes to breaking down.

Winter driving tips:

• Visibility is vital. Make sure your windows and mirrors are clear before driving
• Check your lights are clean and working
• Reduce your speed on slippery surfaces and avoid harsh braking or acceleration
• At low speeds use second rather than first gear to avoid starting to spin the wheels and gently apply and lift the clutch to allow safer engine braking without the need to step on the brakes
• Increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front – in rain, ice and snow leave enough space to stop safely
• Allow up to ten times the normal braking distance, especially on motorways
• Add your next of kin under the name ICE in your mobile phone – this stands for In Case of Emergency and helps the emergency services identify who to call if something should happen
• Consider fitting winter tyres to improve your grip on the road

For more information and advice visit www.whywintertyres.co.uk