Winter is the most dangerous time of the year to be on the road for many reasons. At this time of the year it is very important to be even more vigilant when it comes to road safety and to be aware of some of the hazards that you may encounter in the winter, which can be potentially fatal to unsuspecting motorists. As well as the usual things that are required to ensure that your car is in good working order such as a regular service of the vehicle and ensuring that you use a reputable company for your MOT – find out more about this Gloucester MOT company for more information on this.  Here are some of the most common winter driving hazards and how you can ensure that you don’t fall foul of them…

Ice and Snow – Ice and snow is probably the first thing that we think of when it comes to winter driving. In the UK, the country can seem to grind to a halt when the snow starts to fall as driving conditions can be treacherous. If you are worried about the weather conditions, ensure that you are well aware of your route before you set off. Keep up to date with local weather forecasts and take any advice that they offer to motorists – if they say not to travel unless absolutely necessary then don’t. If you do have to travel, take it slowly and carefully, and make sure that you have a blanket, a warm flask of drink and a fully charged mobile phone with you in case you run into any problems.

Low winter sun – One of the biggest killers on the road at this time of the year is the low sun. Because of the time of the day the sun rises, and sets can coincide with rush hour, many motorists can be dazzled by the sun and not spot other cars, bikes or pedestrians. It is important to take extra care when the sun is low, if necessary, change your route to avoid driving directly into the sun. Remember to use your cars sun flaps and have a good pair of polarised sunglasses on hand that will reduce the suns glare. Remember, if you feel that the driving conditions are unsafe, and your visibility has been impaired, pull over in a safe place until you feel that you can continue your journey safely.