16/01/2024
Heads up Lincolnshire! ICE and FROST forecast in the coming mornings. So it’s time to think about the game plan.
If you are driving on our roads, give yourself plenty of time for defrosting. There is no quick and easy way to do this and you are aiming for perfection. You need a scraper, elbow grease and a dream! If you use de-icer, make sure you are stocked up.
Starting the engine and setting the blowers to warm the windscreen will speed up the job but remember you must be with your car at all times when it’s on. Your windscreen can mist over and if so, opening a window could help. Don’t drive off until you are mist and ice-free.
When it comes to driving on icy roads, SPACE is key. Your braking distance will be drastically increased – so leave some extra room for this. If you do skid, try to gently steer into it. Think SLOW and SMOOTH for steering, braking and accelerating. Select a higher gear to help with grip.
Despite our reputation in Lincolnshire for flatness, we have plenty of hills. They can be a particular problem in ice. Try to avoid stopping on an uphill if you can, as it can be more difficult to get started again.
It’s old school but do you actually have a road atlas? For those under 25, this is a book of road maps. Sat nav is great but it’s also good to be able to plan and know your route and consider alternative routes. You never know when technology might let you down.
You might want to have things packed like a blanket, a warm coat, phone charger, good footwear, warning triangle, torch, flask of tea and biscuits – just in case.
Wherever you are headed, we want you to get there safe. So be careful. Remember people love you!