What do I need in a Winter Driving Kit?
Winter is has well and truly arrived, and with it comes all the challenges that motorists face during the cold and dark season. It can be challenging to remain safe and comfortable on the roads during winter if you are not adequately prepared for the worst.
Snowy and icy roads can make driving tricky, and breakdowns can be complicated, especially during extreme weather conditions. Therefore, it is vital to have a comprehensive winter essentials kit in your car to help you deal with any situation that comes your way.
In this blog post, we will outline some must-have items in your winter essentials kit for motorists to ensure you remain safe, warm, and comfortable when driving through harsh weather conditions.
Ice scraper and de-icer
Two essential items to have in your car during winter are an ice scraper and de-icer. Being able to quickly remove snow and ice from your windscreen is key on those cold dark mornings when you’re heading into work, but it can also be a blessing if you get stranded.
Driving without clearing snow or ice from your windscreen goes against rule 229 of the Highway Code, which states that you must be able to see, therefore all snow and ice must be cleared from your windows, and your mirrors must be thoroughly defrosted.
Having an ice-scraper and de-icer to hand means you can quickly remove any snow or ice, without using methods, such as pouring boiling water on your windscreen, which could potentially damage your vehicle.
Defrosting your car in the mornings doesn’t need to be a chore, there are lots of easy ways to quickly clear the ice and get on your way.
In-car phone charger and torch
Having no battery is not a situation you want to be in, especially as we rely on them for so many things, you may need it to navigate if you get lost, call for help in an emergency or use it as a torch on a dark winter night. Make sure you have a phone charger to hand in your car, handy for keeping your phone battery topped up on long drives.
Lots of modern cars do now come with a wireless phone charging pad, and if it doesn’t have that, it’s likely there’s a USB port to plug a charging lead into. If you don’t have either in these in your car, consider bringing a portable phone charger with you, just remember to charge it before you leave the house.
Whilst you can use your phone as a torch on a dark winter’s evening, we’d suggest packing a powerful torch in your essentials kit, this stops you from draining your phone battery.
Warm clothes and blankets
It may be the case that you’re already rugged up in warm clothes as you set off on your journey, but it’s important to keep some spares in the boot.
The temperature can drop quickly in the winter, and if you end up stranded, you could risk hypothermia.
Keeping spare warm and dry clothes, along with a few blankets could help to prevent this. It’s vital to keep a stock of warm clothes, like gloves, socks, hats, and scarfs, as well as blankets or sleeping bags to keep you and your passengers warm in times of need. These extra items can be kept in the boot in case of emergencies to ensure that you will remain warm if stranded in the colder months.
High-visibility clothing and warning triangles
Winter weather can often lead to poor visibility on the roads, leading to a likely increase in accidents. Therefore, having high-visibility clothing like reflective jackets, armbands and even glow sticks, will ensure that you are visible should the worst happen.
Additionally, having a warning triangle in your car will make other drivers aware of your presence on the road, should you breakdown, helping them to keep a safe distance.
Fuel, for you and your car
It is never safe to run out of fuel while driving, especially during winter when the weather is harsh and the temperature is low. Whilst we would always encourage regular fuel stops to be planned on a long journey, we understand this isn’t always possible and sometimes you can be caught short. Therefore, you should always carry an empty fuel can should you run out of fuel and need a way to refill your car.
It’s important to not just think of your cars needs in these difficult situations, consider what you and your passengers will need if you get caught in long delays, breakdown or are stuck in adverse weather conditions. You’ll need fuel to keep yourself going, keep food and water on board and easily accessible to ensure you keep your energy and hydration levels up.
Shovel
You should also keep a shovel in your kit during winter months. It can come in very handy during winter when your car is stuck in a snowdrift, and you cannot move. Having a shovel in your winter essentials kit will ensure you can dig yourself out and continue your journey.
Winter driving can be challenging, but it doesn't have to be daunting, with a comprehensive winter essential kit in your car. Taking the time to assemble all the necessary items in your kit can make a significant difference in your winter driving experience. Stay safe, warm, and comfortable on the roads during winter with the ultimate winter essentials kit for motorists.