As the last month of autumn arrives and winter slowly approaches, driving conditions become unpredictable: the first snow and ice can fall at any time, wet or icy roads increase the risk of accidents, and climate changes at this time of year make changes in traffic conditions sudden and difficult to predict. Experts answer how to properly prepare for this time.
Don't delay preparing your car for winter
Driving teacher and traffic safety expert Olga Židvlenkova emphasizes that safe driving in autumn starts with car preparation. Andrius Žiukelis, head of BTA's Expertise Department, agrees with it, emphasizing that first of all, you should start with high-quality winter tires: "You really shouldn't expect that tires with a tread depth of only 3 mm will still be safe on the road, especially in more difficult conditions."
In addition to tires, it is also important to have properly functioning wipers, replaced cabin air filter, as well as replenished air conditioner freon, change cooling and window washer fluids to winter ones, notes O. Židvlenkova: "It may sound funny, who needs air conditioner freon in autumn or winter, but let's not forget, that it dries the air and helps remove moisture from the windshield faster."
Another important highlight of preparing a car for autumn and winter is working, orderly and adjusted lights, says the head of the BTA Expertise Department: "Unfortunately, as a driver who spends a lot of time on the roads, I see many cars with non-functioning left, rear or excessively bright headlights, even in darker years nowadays, neat lights are especially important."
Have everything you need in the car when the weather turns cold
After taking care of the car's technical condition, you should not forget to take care of its other elements in autumn and winter.
"I would recommend having an ice melter in your car right now. Scrapers are also a suitable tool, but they can scratch the glass, so spray solvent can be a better choice", emphasizes O. Židvlenkova.
The expert also advises changing textile mats to rubber mats for the cold season: "They do not absorb moisture, so they help prevent additional condensation in the cabin, and it is much easier to shake off accumulated water or snow later."
Ensure good visibility
Good visibility is a prerequisite for safe driving at any time of the year, but late autumn and winter have their own visibility problems. The head of BTA's Expertise Department, A. Žikukelis, points out that many drivers face difficulties not only because of the longer hours of darkness, but also because of the low angle of the sun.
"Due to the low angle of the sun, it shines directly into your eyes in autumn and winter mornings and late afternoons, on clear days. Therefore, it is worth having sunglasses in the car not only in summer, but also in winter," emphasizes the BTA insurance expert.
O. Židvlenkova adds that, when it gets cold at night and in the morning, it will not be enough to properly clean only the windshield: "You can't drive "like a tank" - you also need to clean the side windows and mirrors, because they provide a better view from the sides, which is especially important, when road conditions become difficult," she says.
Think about what you will do in the event of an emergency
In autumn and winter, not only certain traffic incidents, but also some technical failures related to the drop in temperature become more frequent. A. Žiukelis reminds that in these cases CASCO insurance can be particularly useful not only for protection against traffic accidents, but also technical failures, which are more frequent in winter.
"During the cold season, there are cases when the car doors freeze, the engine does not start or it slides off the road. CASCO, especially with roadside assistance, can be valuable when you find yourself in an unexpected situation and cannot solve the problem yourself. Insurance helps protect drivers from financial losses," says the expert.
Wear clothing that does not restrict movement
The clothing we wear behind the wheel also has a big impact on safe driving, especially in the late fall and winter. O. Židvlenkova notices that drivers often choose inappropriate clothing, which makes movement difficult.
"Dressing too warmly and losing freedom of movement is a big mistake. Drivers often sit with thick scarves or jackets, women are often even afraid to turn their heads so as not to stain their clothes with makeup. Movements at the steering wheel must be free so that you can react quickly. "It is also a common mistake to drive with knitted gloves without special silicone pads, because the steering wheel can slip," says the traffic safety expert.
In addition, in autumn and winter, many people already wear shoes with thicker soles - according to O. Židvlenkova, this means that our feet are no longer so sensitive, so it is advisable to observe how the car reacts to pedal presses: "It is possible that just because of the shoes, the late in autumn, you should keep an even safer distance - at least until you get used to different shoes again."
Don't forget that driving is already different than in the summer
According to O. Židvlenkova, some drivers in autumn still drive as if they were in summer out of habit, but when the weather changes overnight, they are very surprised and can create dangerous situations for themselves and others.
A BTA insurance expert says that many accidents in autumn are caused by drivers overestimating their ability to control their car on a road covered with leaves: "Wet leaves have exactly the same effect as snow or ice. Drivers should slow down and avoid sudden maneuvers as the car can easily skid."
Dangers on the roads in late autumn and winter can be hidden by the occurrence of an even less noticeable phenomenon - black ice.
"Black ice often forms in the early morning or where traffic is not heavy. Drivers often do not notice that the road is already dangerously slippery. Therefore, I recommend, especially if you live outside the city, to check the condition of the road before driving by stopping for a while in a safe place", says O. Židvlenkova.
Control your emotions behind the wheel
Safety on the road depends not only on a properly prepared car and our driving skills, but also on the ability to control our emotions. Even when driving conditions are stressful, it's important to stay calm. O. Židvlenkova emphasizes that stress behind the wheel often becomes the cause of serious mistakes.
"Fear, anger or the desire to reach a destination quickly can lead to accidents, especially when road conditions are constantly changing. It is necessary to keep a safe distance from other cars and remember that the stopping distance is much longer in autumn and winter than in summer. Even if rude drivers make you angry, remember that your goal should be to get from point A to point B safely," the expert notes.
The head of BTA's Expertise Department, A. Žikukelis, adds that even experienced drivers can be dangerous in autumn and winter, so they should not overestimate their abilities. "In the first cold days, people are not yet adapting to new conditions, so it is important to be more careful than usual - it is better to underestimate your skills than to overestimate them," he says.
