Phone charger warning issued to drivers as snow hits the UK
Drivers across the country have been sent a warning over phone chargers as road conditions take a turn for the worse. Snow fell across many parts of the country last night. Three Met Office yellow weather alerts for snow and ice have been issued, covering northern England, the Midlands, parts of Northern Ireland, and north east Wales.
Motorists have also been warned by National Highways of severe snow on some parts of the motorway following an amber alert. In wake of this, motoring experts at Driving Hire[1] have provided some of their essential tips for those driving in the snow - and one of them is on phone chargers. They also stress the value of packing other items.
Portable phone charger
When stuck, vehicles frequently exhaust their batteries while using hazard lights and charging phones, leaving them unable to call for assistance when needed.
Richard Owen-Hughes from Driver Hire advised: "Having a multiuse battery pack to charge electrical devices could mean you can still make that call to a helpline, and get out of a dangerous situation." He adds: "With the weather getting worse and driving conditions becoming increasingly dangerous, drivers must be more aware than usual and take extra precautions when it comes to safety. "It would also be beneficial to bring plenty of water, a thermos with a warm drink, and some high energy snacks if there's the chance you might get stuck for a while".
High vis vest
According to Rule 275 of the Highway Code, if you find yourself stranded on the motorway, it's crucial to exit your vehicle (once safe) and, if possible, put on high visibility clothing to ensure other drivers can spot you.
Richard said: "Leaving your vehicle in clothing which makes you easily visible to other drivers can be is hugely important, especially on busy roads. The winter weather[2] can bring with it low visibility due to poor weather such as fog or snow and therefore high visibility vest are a must." He further added: "It's advisable to always have a high vis vest in your vehicle in case of emergencies, and make sure to pack enough for other passengers."
Warning triangle
In the event of a breakdown on a dual carriageway or standard road, placing a warning triangle 45 metres behind your broken-down vehicle will alert oncoming drivers to a nearby hazard.
Richard explained: "Warning triangles are crucial for providing oncoming drivers enough time to react, especially in snowy weather conditions. Use them when possible, but it is advised to not use these in extremely windy weather conditions or on the motorway, as they can blow onto the road."
Warm clothes
Often, drivers who have broken down may face a lengthy wait for rescue. Packing sufficient layers and protective clothing will help keep you warm during this period.
Richard suggested: "A warm waterproof coat, waterproof boots, a jumper, gloves, and a hat could be the difference between being freezing in cold temperatures or staying as comfortable as possible. This goes for all passengers, not just the driver, so it's advisable to have warm clothing packed in the vehicle at all times."
De-icer
Having clear vision is hugely important when concentrating on the road, even more so when the vehicle is subject to poor weather. Richard said: "An icy windscreen is extremely dangerous, and in conditions as cold as this week, a de icer and scraper is essential for keeping your vision clear when on the road."
Richard added: "Not only will this keep you and other road users safe, it is also a legal requirement to clear your windscreen before setting off, and you can face considerably high fines if you do not have clear visibility."
Torch and batteries
Winter weather brings with it darker mornings and evenings and finding yourself broken down on an unlit roadside is a dangerous situation and can increase the likelihood of a collision. Make sure to have an industry standard torch with spare batteries to alert any oncoming traffic that you are there. Richard advised: "Having a working torch gives drivers the best chance of being seen by other road users if their vehicle lights have failed.
It also allows people to check their own vehicle if in an emergency - I would advise a headtorch to completely free up your hands."
References
- ^ Driving Hire (www.driverhiretraining.co.uk)
- ^ weather (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)