RAC issues advice to drivers as current cold snap continues

With widespread weather warnings for snow and ice in place across the UK to the end of the week, RAC patrol of the year Ben Aldous said:

“It’s vital that those that need to use their cars for essential trips in the national lockdown ensure they’re equipped for the big freeze over the next few days. Fog, ice and in some places snow are the enemies of drivers. In order to avoid falling foul of the conditions it’s important for motorists to adjust their driving style to suit the conditions. Being gentler on the throttle and brakes, and slowing down particularly on rural or ungritted routes can help ensure a safe and trouble-free journey.

“But before setting out drivers should check their tyres have plenty of tread and are properly inflated to ensure they have the best grip possible. Windscreens should be completely cleared of ice and snow before moving off so visibility isn’t impaired. Drivers who start out peering through a misted up or poorly cleared windscreen are putting lives at risk.”

For more advice on reducing the chances of breaking down in the cold weather, visit RAC Drive.

Subjects

Tags

adverse weather

Notes to Editors

The press office email address is press.enquiries@rac.co.uk. Please note: the press office is unable to help with individual customer enquiries - please visit the RAC contacts page to find the right contact.

ISDN radio studio facilities are available for interviews Monday to Friday.

About the RAC

The RAC provides complete peace of mind to 12m UK private and business drivers, whatever their motoring needs. Its services include:

Breakdown assistance. Its highly-skilled, 1,600-strong branded patrol workforce attends more than two million breakdowns every year, fixing on average four out of five vehicles at the roadside. The RAC’s patrol fleet is one of the most advanced in the UK, and was the first to roll out both an All-Wheels-Up recovery system, allowing the vast majority of vehicles to be recovered from a single patrol van, and EV Boost mobile electric vehicle charging units
Insurance. The RAC is a top-five car insurance broker having surpassed the 500,000 policies-in-force milestone in 2018. It also offers ‘black box’ telematics policies, as well as home and travel insurance
Other motoring services. The RAC leads in the development of new solutions for business, fleets, electric vehicles and future car technology. Its additional products and services include a personal loans offering, a used car buying website, vehicle inspections and checks, legal services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information. It also has a network of Approved Dealers and Approved Garages which combine the trust of RAC brand with local service and convenience

The RAC also works to support the interests of its members and UK drivers on the most important motoring issues which it identifies via the annual RAC Report on Motoring and the RAC Opinion Panel. The Report on Motoring is the longest running analysis of driver opinion in the UK having been published every year since 1989.

For more information about the RAC, visit the RAC website.