With emissions and congestion, a big concern, we’re wondering whether cycle couriers should exclusively be the way forward for deliveries in big cities?
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Sometimes a place you associate with holidays or good memories can be just enough to put a smile on your face, something we all need at the moment!
One of the biggest causes of damage to vehicles on new developments are non-regulation manhole covers being used by developers on type III* roads.
Winter 2019 is definitely on the way and we’re making sure all of our drivers are prepared for their courier runs as the weather turns. Following on from our blog on using Winter tyres, we wanted to share our advice on overall safe driving during the chilly season!
Prepare
Make sure you’re prepared for the conditions in which you will be driving. Watch the weather forecast and keep an eye on it as the day progresses – who doesn’t have a weather app on their phone to check!
It’s best to have everything you need in your car, so a list of items would ideally include:
- De-icer for icy windows
- Scraper for frost and ice
- Warm blanket in case of breakdowns
- Warm clothing, inc jacket, hat, gloves and scarf
- Spare change for unexpected parking charges
- Shovel, in case you get stuck in the snow
- Salt, as this can help to melt very thin ice
- Snacks and a bottle of water, either for drinking or using to melt the ice on your windscreen (don’t ever use hot water, as this can crack the glass!)
- If you travel with children, take along some activities for them in case of traffic jams or breakdowns. This could be books, puzzles or electronic devices
- Phone charger, an essential all year round in case you need your phone for emergencies
- Sunglasses as the Winter sun can be even more dazzling than in Summer
Listen
Listen to what other drivers are saying about the state of the roads and the traffic conditions. Social media has meant that people can share updates in real time, warning of accidents, jams and road closures to the local public so others can be aware.
Make sure you also share if there are problems. It really helps – forewarned is forearmed!
It’s also really handy to have the radio traffic reports on if your car stereo has the option. These come up every 20-30 minutes from the nearest station to your location with an update on the local roads. Traffic reports will interrupt whatever media you are listening to, so you don’t have to worry about missing them once the option is ON.
Drive Safe
The obvious one – drive safely! Drive in accordance to the conditions, leaving larger braking distances in the wet or ice, and using your indicators so other road users know your intentions. Make sure your lights work properly and are on at the right times, including fog lights if the weather dictates. Remember also to turn fog lights off once you have driven through any foggy patches, as these can be blinding to other drivers, especially the rear fog light.
Whilst it’s not a legal requirement in the UK, some drivers choose to put “Winter tyres” on their cars as an extra safety measure during the icy months
What do Premium fuels contain that Regular fuels do not, and what exactly makes them an “Ultimate” or “Supreme” option for motorists?
New consultation for changes to the laws surrounding dangerous cycling opened on 12th August and will run until 5th Nov, with the aim to seek views on whether convictions of dangerous cycling activity should result in offences of causing death or serious injury by dangerous careless cycling.
It doesn’t matter whether you drive for business or pleasure, the roads are a busy place to be! It’s a sad fact of life that the risk of being in an accident remains a prominent one, so it’s best to protect yourself as much as possible in the likelihood of having to make an insurance claim in the future.
We’ve compiled our list of driving safety advice and tips for driving in adverse Wintery conditions, including snow, ice, rain and wind. A lot of this is common sense but it always pays to be prepared, especially with poor visibility or slippery road surfaces! Safe driving to you all!
As “crash for cash” scams continue to rise, so do the sales of dash cams – are they now an essential for drivers on today’s roads?
