Snow Joke For Winter Drivers say Car Rentals.co.uk

13 October 2006 – With weather forecasters predicting one of the coldest winters on record and the ski season just around the corner, car hire specialist www.carrentals.co.uk is warning customers not to be complacent about driving in potentially treacherous snow and ice.

Andy Stevens, managing director of www.carrentals.co.uk, said: “Winter driving can be difficult and dangerous, with bad conditions on the roads often worsened by inexperienced, unprepared drivers. In the UK most drivers simply don’t have the practice of driving in demanding winter conditions, and this can put both themselves and other drivers in danger.”

The warning comes at a time when a growing number of winter sport enthusiasts are opting to book an independent ski break, combining low-cost flights and car hire to their ski resort. Carrentals.co.uk ski car hire bookings are already showing growth of 20 per cent year on year, with most British drivers having driven fewer miles in snow than they did when they learnt to drive.

Stevens added: “With a growing number of customers now hiring a car for ski holidays, and with the winter weather warnings, we would advise all drivers to learn more about the do’s and don’ts of driving in snowy conditions. Many of our tips are just common sense, but all of them are important for the safety of our customers and other drivers.”

carrentals.co.uk winter driving tips –

1) Slow Down – carrentals.co.uk would advise tripling the distance you usually leave between your car and the one ahead.

2) Buckle Up - It is the law in most countries, but do remember to always wear your seatbelt in the front - and in the back if you have them - of the car

3) Light Up - Keep your headlights on dipped and be seen. Be careful using fog lights or full beam in heavy snow, as they will create glare.

4) Snow Chains - Book your snow chains when you book your hire car to ensure you’re covered. It’s also worth practising putting them on and taking them off during the day, rather than waiting until you may need them at night.

5) Top Gears - Reduce the risk of sliding and wheel spin, particularly when pulling away or going uphill, by putting the car into a higher gear than you would for normal dry conditions. For example, pulling away in 2nd gear can help on ice or packed snow.

6) Smooth Cornering - On corners slow down well before you normally would and ensure your speed is low enough to ensure you don’t lose traction. You should also avoid any sharp steering movements that may cause the car to slide.

7) Anticipate Braking – The best way to avoid a skid is to anticipate braking – any sudden, unplanned braking will make the car skid on snow or ice. To brake, gradually alternate engine braking with pedal braking to avoid the locking of wheels. If the wheels lock when you brake and the car starts to slide release the brake pedal to help recover traction, then brake again slowly while also braking with the engine.

8) Car Essentials - In bad conditions always consider if your journey is essential, but if you do need to travel, try to make sure you have a blanket, torch, mobile phone, shovel and some chocolate and a hot drink in the car.

9) Skid recovery – If your car starts to skid don’t go for the brakes. Take your foot off the accelerator and steer into the direction of the skid until the car is under control – again make sure you steer with smooth, not abrupt, movements.

10) Snow Go – If your car gets stuck in snow don’t continue spinning your wheels – it will just be harder to get out of the rut. Spread sand or salt around the wheels to give them grip – or remove snow from around the wheels to create a clear run onto the road.

For more information about winter driving please go to:
www.carrentals.co.uk/winterdriving , www.michelin.co.uk or www.rac.co.uk;

Company Overview
Car rentals.co.uk Ltd is a car hire broker based in the UK with over 100,000 online car rentals in the last 3 years.

About the Author:
Andy Steven is the Managing Director of www.carrentals.co.uk Ltd. He has been involved in with Car Rentals.co.uk Ltd for nearly 3 years, starting out as the Operations Director.