Driving in bad weather

Working in partnership with Police Scotland, we have developed a severe weather information strategy to warn and inform road users when significant disruption to the road network is expected during extreme weather.

The advice and information service will commence when severe weather is forecast within Scotland. Forecast information will be provided in advance of and during any severe weather event.

Advice will be classed in three stages:

Travel with caution

Police are advising conditions for road travel may be hazardous and drivers should exercise extra caution.

High risk of disruption for road journeys

Police are advising there is a high risk of disruption for road journeys and drivers are likely to experience significant delays.

Avoid travel on the roads

Police are advising drivers to avoid travel on the roads. Drivers who choose to drive should expect severe delays of several hours or more.

This advice will be provided to road users through:

• Transport Scotland’s network of Variable Message Signs
• the Traffic Scotland website (including the internet radio service)
• Twitter (@trafficscotland)
• smartphone apps
• radio travel information broadcasts
• the Traffic Scotland Customer Careline (0800 028 1414)

to help them play their part during extreme weather events.

• Read more information on the Police Scotland website

Pay extra attention to planning your journey in bad weather. Before travelling you should:

• check the weather forecast and road conditions, including Police Scotland travel advice
• consider whether you need to travel right now or if you can wait until the weather improves
• consider alternative routes
• consider alternative modes of transport
• allow extra time for your journey
• ensure that your vehicle is ready for a journey in poor weather
• carry an emergency kit
• consider what changes you need to make to your driving style to suit the weather or conditions
• tell someone at your destination what route you are taking and when you expect to arrive
• visit the Traffic Scotland website to identify any problems on trunk roads.

Before you set off on your journey

• It is vitally important to make sure your vehicle is adequately maintained and that brakes, tyres, lights, batteries, windscreens and wiper blades are in good condition
• Tyres are the only point of contact with the road and if they are worn or incorrectly inflated then they have less grip and can significantly increase stopping distances in the event of an emergency
• The minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm, but you should consider changing tyres before they get near to 1.6mm as tyres with a greater tread depth perform better in poor conditions
• All windows should be demisted and fully cleared of any frost, snow or ice
• Check that wiper blades are not worn and are capable of clearing the windscreen correctly
• Keep fuel tank levels high, ensuring you have more than enough fuel to complete your journey, allowing for unexpected delays and greater fuel use than usual
• Check brakes, lights, oil and washer fluid levels (add winter screen wash to your washer bottle to stop the water from freezing).

Be aware of changing road and weather conditions, even if it's a road you use regularly.

Remember it is dangerous and illegal to use a handheld mobile phone or device while driving.

You may need to change the way you drive in bad weather:

• reduce speed
• increase stopping distances
• avoid sudden acceleration and braking
• use dipped headlights
• a minimum break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving is recommended
• do not pass closed snow gates or ‘Road Closed’ signs, as it may be dangerous and an offence to do so
• listen to radio travel bulletins
• observe information on Variable Message Signs.

Watch out for locations where you may need to drive more carefully. Some common examples are:

• changes in road elevation or exposure
• where the road passes under or over a bridge
• where things at the side of the road shade the carriageway
  (e.g. trees, bridges or other structures)
• where there is less traffic use (e.g. slip roads)
• reduce your speed when approaching bends in the road where there is a greater risk of loss of control.

Remember this critical question

If I had to brake suddenly in an emergency, could I stop safely within the distance I can clearly see ahead of me?

Driving through ice and snow

• Your stopping distance is increased 10 times when driving in snow and ice
• Drive at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible; accelerate and brake very gently
• It is not always obvious that the road is icy
  • look for clues such as ice on the pavement or on your windscreen
  • if your tyres are making virtually no noise on the road, it could be a sign that you are driving on ice
• Do not brake heavily – it will just lock your wheels and you will skid further, consider changing to a lower gear
• Clear any snow on the roof of the vehicle before you drive off - it can slip down over the windscreen and obscure your view
• In severe cold or snowy conditions, look out for winter service vehicles spreading salt or using snow ploughs - they will have flashing amber beacons and may be travelling at slower speeds
• Don’t overtake unless it is safe to do so as there may be uncleared snow on the road ahead.

Through the Traffic Scotland website it is possible to monitor the progress of gritting operations across the trunk road network.

The Highway Code also has advice about driving in bad weather.

Driving in the rain

• When the road is wet, it can take twice as long to stop - slow down and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front
• If your vehicle loses its grip, or “aquaplanes” on surface water, take your foot off the accelerator to slow down - do not brake or steer suddenly because you have no control of the steering or brakes.

Floods

• Try to avoid driving through surface water as you might flood your engine - avoid the deepest water which is usually nearest the kerb
• If you have to drive through floods, drive slowly using first gear and try to keep the engine revving at a high rate - move forward continuously to avoid stalling the engine (if driving an automatic vehicle, engage and hold in a low gear)
• Check your mirror and test your brakes after driving through water, to make sure they are still working properly.

Be particularly vigilant for pedestrians and cyclists during winter weather. They may be more difficult to see and have trouble seeing you. When driving through puddles or wet areas, be prepared to slow down or stop to avoid splashing and causing distress.

Driving in windy weather

• High-sided vehicles and caravans are particularly affected by windy weather but strong gusts can also blow a smaller vehicle, cyclist, motorcyclist or horse rider off course
• This can happen on open stretches of road exposed to strong crosswinds, or when passing bridges, high-sided vehicles or gaps in trees
• If towing an empty curtain-sided trailer, leave the curtains open to make your vehicle less vulnerable to crosswinds
• Be aware that other vehicles and debris could unexpectedly be blown into your pathway.

Driving with a low sun

• Dazzle from sun can be dangerous - always keep a pair of sunglasses (prescription if needed) in your vehicle for use in bright sunshine, especially if the sun is low or reflecting off a wet road
• Make sure you keep your windscreen clean.

Driving in fog

• Drive very slowly using dipped headlights so other drivers can see you
• If it is really foggy (less than 100m visibility), then switch your fog lights and rear high-intensity lights on - remember to switch them off when visibility improves
• Do not hang on the tail-lights of the vehicle in front - this gives you a false sense of security and means you may be driving too close
• Fog is often patchy so try not to speed up as visibility improves - you could suddenly find yourself back in thick fog further up the road.

Darker evenings and mornings

• Switch on lights as soon as it starts to get dark
• In urban areas use dipped headlights - use full beam on other roads at night but dip them when there is someone in front or coming towards you
• Be aware that pedestrians are harder to spot in the dark and may not be visible until they are very close - in particular, take care when driving near schools and in residential areas, where children may be walking and cycling (these road users are very vulnerable as they are both hard to spot in the dark and may act unpredictably)
• Slow down - if you hit someone at 20mph they have a 90% chance of survival, compared to 50% at 30mph.

Keep an emergency kit in the car:

• ice scraper and de-icer
• torch and spare batteries
• warm clothes and a blanket
• a pair of boots
• first-aid kit
• battery jump leads
• a shovel for snow
• a tow rope
• food and a warm drink in a flask
• sunglasses in the glove box to help you see in low sun
• make sure your mobile phone is charged fully
• a map for any unplanned diversions.