Tips for safe traffic in winter weather

Our winter tips

Before you go on the road:

• Ask yourself if the scheduled trip is really necessary. Every kilometre not driven is a safe - and environmentally friendly - kilometre.
• If you still have to go on the road, prepare your trip in time. Check route planners and make sure there is sufficient time. Stress is a bad co-pilot!

Do

1. Turn on the air conditioning after you have started your vehicle or open the windows on either side of your car when the windows are misted.
2. Experience the danger. Check if the road is slippery and assess the associated dangers for yourself, the other road users, and your vehicle. This is how you become aware of the circumstances during the drive. Only do this in an area where it can be safely done.
3. Make sure the right tools are in the right place. A lock defroster has little added value when it’s located in the frozen car....having an ice scraper and windscreen defroster are obvious, but also make sure you have an extra bottle of ready-to-use windscreen washer to prepare you for sudden wintery circumstances. Mats make it easier to drive out of the deep snow, a shovel, a wiper and work gloves always come in handy, especially for the skiers among us.
4. Try turning on the headlights if you can’t start the car right away. This heats up the battery.

Don’t

5. Hot water to defrost windows: do not use hot water to defrost your windows. The, sometimes large, temperature differences can cause your window to crack. If you still want to use water, use only lukewarm water.
6. Step on the accelerator: Do not accelerate while starting the car as this disrupts the electronic injection and ignition process (in modern cars).

Finally: check out the local obligations in Europe when you drive to other counties. More information can be found on the website of VAB.

You will find more tips here and here.