Nowinnofee.co.uk Warns Inexperienced Drivers to Take Extra Care in Snow and Ice

With more snow and ice forecast for the next two weeks, leading compensation claims website Nowinnofee.co.uk, is warning inexperienced drivers to take extra care on the roads this winter or they could face massive increases in their insurance premiums.

[UKPRwire, Fri Jan 08 2010] With more snow and ice forecast for the next two weeks, leading compensation claims website Nowinnofee.co.uk, is warning inexperienced drivers to take extra care on the roads this winter or they could face massive increases in their insurance premiums.

Tom Johnson, founder of Nowinnofee.co.uk said; “Unfortunately most winter accidents are the fault of inexperienced road users not knowing how to drive in difficult or extreme conditions. Losing control in the snow can result in accident and injury to other people and the number of whiplash claims increases significantly during the wintertime. Not only that, but accidents lead to huge insurance premium increases for new drivers and with Britain not used to such heavy snowfall, many drivers will not have experience of venturing out in bad weather.

“It is important that people are well informed on how to drive safely in treacherous conditions to avoid accidents and the resulting injuries. We hope our guidelines will help the public to avoid accidents this winter and keep their insurance claims down.”

Take it Slowly
When driving in heavy snow the most crucial step is to go slow. Remain in a low gear for optimum control and don’t be tempted to rush, no matter how late you are for work. Even when roads look clear, hidden black ice can be fatal so take your time. It is better to arrive late than not at all.

Brake the Habit
If you start to skid it’s only natural to want to hit the brakes, but this will just make things worse. If your car starts to slide, release your foot from the brake immediately and reapply slowly. Try to regain control by steering into the skid to straighten up your car and change to a lower gear to slow things down and avoid a nasty accident.

In a Spin
Pulling away from standstill in the snow usually results in wheel spin and a “one step forward two steps back” scenario. This is a major cause of minor accidents as cars spin backwards into the vehicle behind. Try to pull away in second gear rather than first as this will limit your wheel spin and if you begin to slide remember the rules on how to control a skid.

Turning a Corner
The cornering ability of a car is almost non-existent in snow. Vehicles often start to slide sideways and without proper control this will result in an accident. Remain focused and avoid any sudden braking. Slow down long before taking the corner and approach the turn in a straight line to avoid loss of control.

Expect the Unexpected
No matter how prepared you are you can’t assume that everyone around you is just as cautious. In fact, you should assume just the opposite. Don’t expect that somebody is going to stop for you – they may be trapped in a skid and unable to control their vehicle. Be aware of what is around you – other traffic and pedestrians – and remain vigilant. Increased concentration will result in better control and a lower chance of accident.

Nowinnofee.co.uk provides information and advice on personal injury claims, accidents at work and whiplash injuries, as well as producing consumer guides for dealing with claims and solicitors.