BRITISH motorists are prone to making “terrible mistakes” in the snow – according to driving experts from Iceland.
Drivers across the country have been warned by the Met Office to “stay safe” on the roads after “persistent and heavy” rain caused flooding and travel chaos following a sub-zero chill over the weekend.
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Heavy snow is recent days has prompted driving specialists to point out numerous errors Brit drivers make in the winter.
Experts at Lotus Car Rental, a discount rental company from Iceland, say car-users across the UK are simply not used to dealing with the rough road conditions.
Indeed, many motorists seem to make simple errors – including one that harms their vision when driving in the snow.
While widely considered an accessory for summer days, the experts believe sunglasses are a winter-driving essential, saying: “Sunglasses help to reduce the glare of low winter sun on the snow.
“Sunglasses will drastically improve your visibility on the road so be sure to have them with you even in the snowiest of conditions.”
What’s more, drivers should be matching their sunglasses with a nice summer outfit – as the experts claim wearing your winter gear behind the wheel could see you slapped with a £100 fine and points on your licence.
Wearing a thick coat and heavy snow boots can restrict your movement or make it harder for you to feel what your feet are doing on the pedals, and that could mean you’re driving “without due care and attention.”
The Highway Code states you should ensure “clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner.”
So in this case, it might be best to take off your coat when you get into your car and consider changing into regular shoes instead of winter boots.
When it comes to driving in the snow, Lotus Car Rental recommends moving off in second gear when the car is stationary and then “carefully changing up to a higher gear as soon as the car is moving”.
Driving in first gear is not recommended in the snow, as this can “dramatically increase the risk of spinning and skidding”.
They’ve also urged motorists to stay cool and calm when out on the roads – even if things go wroing.
That includes correcting skids in a safe manner if you lose control of the car on a slippery surface.
The experts said: “The most important thing you can do is keep your hands firmly on the wheel and steer your car in the direction of the skid.
“Try not to correct it by jerking the wheel or braking too hard as the car may respond by spinning even further out of control.
“If you are at immediate risk of crashing into something then you can brake but do this as gently as possible.”
Perhaps most importantly, the car experts advised UK drivers to make sure their car is stocked with “essential items” – in case the worst happens and your car breaks down.
An emergency kit should include items such as an ice scraper, screenwash, a torch, a first aid kit, warm clothes, a blanket, food and drink, a shovel, a phone charger, jump leads, a tow rope and a road map.
This comes after a driving instructor shared three tips for driving in snow, including a vital but easily forgotten check.
One of the specialists from The Complete Theory Test Kit took to TikTok to share the urgent advice as the weather turns colder.
Elsewhere, motorists have been warned of a little-known law which could see them slapped with a £2,500 fine this Christmas – even if they aren’t driving.
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