How to survive winter driving

British winters can provide all sorts of challenges to you as a motorist. And the consequences of getting it wrong can be dire. There is no time of year quite like it and your car, like you, needs to be up for the challenge!

Ronan Hart, marketing manager at car breakdown service Autonational Rescue, believes it is vital at this time of year that motorists drive with 'the right head on'.

"It really is about driver attitude. And even Britain's best drivers can find their nerves and skills well and truly put to the test by demanding winter driving conditions" he says.

Here's some key advice about driving in difficult winter road conditions, beginning with:

DRIVING IN THE WET

As a rule of thumb, Autonational Rescue recommends the use of headlights whenever it's raining.

Slow down at the first sign of rain. Many roads become very slippery when rain first mixes with road dirt and oil, because together they form a greasy film on the road's surface. And when roads are slippery it can take up to ten times longer to stop!

In all sorts of rain, or slushy winter snow, you can prevent accidents by driving slowly and carefully, especially on curves. Steer and brake with a light touch.

The deepest water is usually near the kerb and if a road is slippery, your tyres lose traction and in heavy rain a car can easily aquaplane. Aquaplaning results from a combination of conditions, wet surfaces and speed, and means your tyres are literally riding on a layer of water and have lost all contact with the road.

"It's horrible to feel that you are losing control of your vehicle. But if your vehicle is starting to aquaplane, then you're driving far too fast for the road conditions", says Ronan Hart.

"Don't break or steer suddenly. Ease off the accelerator until your car slows and you can 'feel' the road again. If you need to brake, do it gently with light pumping actions. But if your car has anti-lock brakes, then brake normally; your car's computer will mimic a pumping action.

"Good defensive drivers adjust their speed to the wet road conditions in time to avoid having to use any of these measures!"

DRIVING ON SNOW AND ICE