February 4, 2019
We’ve already seen some snow and icy weather conditions this winter, and when out and about in your van, it’s important that you know how to handle this type of extreme weather. At Sky Van Hire, we offer a wide range of vans for rental and have put together a list of tips to help you remain safe on the roads during winter.
When driving a van in snowy weather, you may find it helpful to keep a pair of comfortable shoes in the van, ensuring that you always have a pair of dry shoes to drive in. No matter the weather, it is important that you have a good grip on the pedals and are in full control of the vehicle at all times.
Although it can be tempting to accelerate harshly in order to propel your vehicle forward if it seems to be stuck in snow, you should always accelerate slowly in these weather conditions and change up to a higher gear as quickly and smoothly as possible.
No matter how much of a rush you are in, you should only drive in snowy weather if it is absolutely necessary. If you do drive, make sure that you leave at least 10 times the usual stopping distance between you and the vehicle in front and always break steadily before you begin to turn the wheel.
Driving in the snow can bring its own set of challenges, which can be exacerbated when driving up or downhill.
When climbing a hill in the snow, it is important to leave a gap between you and the vehicle in front to allow you to climb the hill steadily, without stopping or switching through gears. On the way down a hill, make sure you are driving in a low gear to avoid the need for unnecessary braking.
Whilst the adage may not be true of all occasions “if your wipers are on, your lights should be on”, is sensible advice to take on board. Typically, the skies will be much darker when it is raining or snowing, meaning you should have your dipped headlights turned on for maximum visibility. If visibility drops below 100 metres, you should turn your fog lights on, but always remember to turn these off when visibility improves.
If you’re looking for cheap van hire across Chigwell, Ilford, Redbridge, Romford or Woodford, we welcome you to contact our dedicated team on 0208 550 8800. We have a wide range of vans in various sizes to suit your requirements.
