The new year has brought with it some challenging road conditions – with the cold snap set to continue into the third week of January.
The treacherous icy surface has caused a number of collisions across the country, prompting one driving expert to offer a simple piece of advice that could help you on your next journey. Annie Winterburn, who specialises in Theory Test tips on TikTok, recommends using a higher gear than normal.
In a video taken in a residential street’s wintry surroundings, she advised: “When the roads are like this, you should use a higher gear as this will prevent skidding – it will give you a better grip on the road.”
She continued: “So you can move away in second gear. And when you’re driving along and you’d normally be in second gear, go into third gear.” However, if you’re driving up or down a steep hill, Annie suggests using a lower gear instead – and the same applies if you need to speed up quickly.
She reiterated: “When you’re driving on icy and slippery roads, it’s a higher gear.” One of her followers praised: “Thanks for this reminder, really helpful I’ve got test this morning.”
Others highlighted the importance of winter tyres, meanwhile, purpose built for this time of year and designed to navigate the challenging driving conditions more effectively. “Most important is use top quality winter tyres – I have found that the car can pull away on full power with no wheel spin (no traction control),” one TikTok user responded. “One time I passed a police 4×4 on summer tyres that was stuck.”
A second agreed: “Use winter tyres no matter what you do. If you hit ice you’re going to spin…. just drop your speed.” Whilst a third person advised: “Pull the handbrake up while going round corners for added stability, this will engage the rear end and will increase stability and traction.”
The AA supports Annie’s higher gear advice, telling its customers online: “Stay in a higher gear and avoid braking as much as you can [in ice and snow]. Use your headlights in heavy snow. If you do start skidding, stay calm, steer into the skid and avoid sudden movements like hitting the brakes. If you’re driving an electric or hybrid car, adjust the regenerative braking to a lower setting.”
Annie returned to her platform to offer further, in-depth advice when it comes to setting off. “On very icy roads, move away in second gear to help prevent skidding,” she said. “Put your clutch pedal down and go into second gear, give it some gas and when it’s safe to go, bring the clutch pedal up and you can move off nice and smoothly.”
She continued: “Moving off in second won’t burn your clutch out and it won’t damage your engine.” And for novice drivers, Anie suggested: “Perhaps though in icy conditions it would be better not to go out at all.”
