Motorists offered tips for icy driving

Posted :29-11-2006

Drivers planning to take to the roads this winter are being offered a number of tips to ensure safety in icy conditions.

The advice from Green Flag comes after the breakdown assistance company conducted research into how motorists believe an icy skid should be dealt with.

Some 20 per cent of drivers said they would steer away from the skid, as opposed to the correct method of braking and turning into the direction of the skid.

Icy conditions, which could potentially cause an accident resulting in a motor insurance claim, also causes stopping distances to be ten times longer - although those surveyed think it is half of this amount or less.

Therefore, Green Flag is advising motorists to increase the distance between them and the car in front and avoid sudden speed increases and braking or sharp turns.

In addition, the company recommends driving slower and using a higher gear than normal to avoid wheel spinning.

Commenting, Phillipa Naylor, spokesperson for Green Flag said: "Some drivers may never have experienced very cold conditions…hopefully this advice will help motorists to be more prepared in case they do hit an icy patch."

Green Flag is one of the UK's largest roadside recovery companies and was established in 1971.

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