As temperatures begin to drop, fleets and drivers are being urged to prepare for what is always one of the highest-risk periods of the year.
National Highways has already deployed its full winter fleet, with 530 gritters, 24/7 monitoring teams and more than 120 salt depots in action.
The aim is to keep the roads safe as temperatures drop and driving conditions become more difficult, but a big part of that relies on drivers (and fleets) taking extra precautions.
Between December and February last year, almost 68,000 breakdowns were recorded on motorways and major A roads.
Wet surfaces, icy patches and reduced visibility all contribute to significantly longer stopping distances, and that means drivers need more time, more space, and more caution on every journey.
Ensuring your vehicles are Winter-ready is crucial, which means looking after tyres, lights, brakes, fluids, wipers amongst regular checks.
That goes hand-in-hand with ensuring drivers adapt their behaviour to the conditions, particularly as braking distances increase in adverse weather conditions.
That means slowing down, increasing following distances, taking extra time for manoeuvres, and allowing for the fact that even treated roads can still be slippery.
At this time of year, conditions can change quickly, which is why National Highways is warning drivers and fleets to always stay alert and be prepared for whatever this Winter has to throw at us.
As ever, proactive safety checks and heightened driver awareness are your strongest defence against winter’s challenges.
