When you past your driving test and are able to go it alone for the very first time, without a driving instructor or family member sat in the passenger seat, it can be a mixture of excitement and apprehension. On the one hand you are pleased to be set free to drive wherever you like by yourself, but, on the other hand, it can be a little daunting knowing that you no longer have someone to watch over you and ensure that what you are doing is correct.
I can actually recall my first drive once I passed my test, having to negociate the big roundabout that had sometimes eluded me in lessons – I was so chuffed once I got around it successfully and could head on home along the country roads!
However, that was not as daunting as the first time I had to drive in snow and on icy roads.
Alone.
By myself.
I was actually very nervous, because during my lessons I had never once had to learn to drive in such conditions and I was not looking forward to my first time either! I just drove slowly and carefully and tried not to panic! However, I did prang my car quite badly one time on black ice, and the worse thing is there was nothing I could do to prevent the accident because it was not until I drove onto the black ice that I realised there was any! And the only way I could avoid the on coming taxi was to swerve slightly and in doing so I hit a parked car! Therefore, damaging my car too – just aswell I had good insurance and no claims at that point!
However, belive it or not, it is actually a myth that snow poses the biggest danger to drivers during the winter months
Back then when I had that mini collision, I was not a parent, and I have to be honest, I would be even more worried now if I were out in the early mornings on the school run, and there was black ice on the roads as I would have Burton and Jenson in the back of the car. Plus to leave my drive I need to drive up slope, and then to get to the main road I have to drive down a slope, so all in all not the best roads for a slippery surface!
That is why it is crucial to have the correct tyres fitted on your car because it is the temperature which causes the problems. Cold weather causes the rubber on tyres to harden, which ultimately reduces grip. Therefore, it is essential to have cold weather tyres fitted because they are specifically designed to reduce the impact of this hardening, maintaining good grip. That’s why it’s important to check you’re using the right rubber, whatever the weather forecast is.
It’s actually quire a reassuring fact to see just how few accidents are caused by snow! I’m always scared of driving when there’s snow… it’s probably everyone else i should be concerned about rather than the actual snow.