Winter Weather Travel Tips

Birmingham City Council and Amey asks motorists and businesses to take a few simple steps which will help them 'be prepared' for the onset of winter

Make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter:

• Check the battery,
• Put antifreeze in the car,
• Keep windscreens clean,
• Make sure window wipers work correctly,
• Make sure lights are working correctly and your number plate is clean,
• Check tyres for condition, pressure and depth. At least 3mm is recommended for winter motoring.

Preparing to travel:

• Start your journey earlier and plan your route,
• Clear all windows of snow and ice,
• Consider carrying:
• Mobile phne and fully charged battery,
• Bottled water,
• Snacks,
• First aid kit,
• Torch and batteries,
• Useful telephone numbers,
• Blankets and warm clothing,
• Jump leads,
• Snow shovel,
• Old sack or rug to put under the wheels if you get stuck.

Driving:

Driving in ice and snow takes much longer. Advice on how to drive can be found on any of the motoring organisations websites.

Other Considerations:

• In times of bad weather consider whether trips are essential before you head out,
• Consider whether you can walk / use public transport / car pool / share vehicles with others,
• Keep petrol levels up in case you get stuck unexpectedly in traffic,
• Avoid travelling at peak times if you can,
• Where possible stagger journey times,
• Restrict your speed,
• Stick to larger roads but be aware you need to drive carefully even where gritting has occured.

Gritting Facts and Figures:

• 1200 km of carriageway is routinely treated by Birmingham City Council/Amey
• This network is divided into 23 gritting routes
• A new fleet of gritting vehicles carry out this funtion.-
• Salt spreading rates are adjusted to suit weather conditions.
• Each gritter carries 7 tonnes of rock salt
• Most gritters are fitted with snow ploughs.
• It takes between 3 and 4 hours to treat the entire priority network
• Ice is most likely to form at dawn.