1 week Ago By Luke Chillingsworth
Motorists should get their vehicle ready for winter this weekend with temperatures set to drop next week. Snow and ice warnings are in place for parts of the UK from Sunday to Tuesday but Wednesday could be the coldest yet. According to the Met Office , areas in the North could drop to 0 degrees next Wednesday with conditions even feeling like -2 overnight.
As winter descends, motoring experts have previously urged individuals to wrap up warm and stock up on the most important winter essentials. This includes items such as blankets , a fully charged phone and a torch in case vehicles break down. Specialists at GM Direct Hire suggested having a winter kit waiting inside vehicles was crucial.
They explained: “Ensure you have an emergency kit in your car, including essentials like a high-visibility jacket, a torch, and a mobile phone charger in case of breakdown." Ali Ingram-Seal, a spokesperson for motor experts at Saga , said vital tools motorists could use in a breakdown were crucial. This includes blankets and spare clothes to wrap up warm while waiting for help as well as a warning triangle to notify road users of hazards up ahead.
The AA added: “If you're delayed because of bad weather (or a weather-related incident), it's a good idea to let your loved ones know. It'll save them worrying and stop any distracting texts and phone calls coming in while you're behind the wheel. “Just remember not to use a handheld phone while driving.
Pull into a safe rest stop to make a call or ask a passenger to do it for you.” However, car insurance experts and breakdown specialists at the RAC pointed out that an ice-scraper and de-icer tool was one of the most important items. The Highway Code clearly states that road users should clear their windscreens properly before setting off.
It is possible that frost and ice could build up over the course of a day or even a couple of hours if motorists are heading out for an evening. The RAC commented: “An ice scraper still needs manual effort but is effective, while a can or spray bottle of de-icer speeds up the process. “In wintry conditions, you will need to do this before setting off but both items need to be kept in the car ahead of the return journey - or in the event of being stranded somewhere, with the windscreen frosting over.
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