Winter driving in the South Waikato

For drivers in the South Waikato, winter can be the most dangerous time of the year. Between June and August last year there were twenty seven crashes in the South Waikato District where winter conditions played some part.

Motor vehicle crashes involving wet weather, fog, ice and sun strike can have serious consequences.

These conditions can occur at any time and in any area of the South Waikato even in the sunny North.

Keeping safe on the roads in these conditions comes down to sensible driving and having a well maintained vehicle.

Key areas to check on your vehicle are:

• Tyres - Ensure they have sufficient tread. The legal minimum is 1.5 mm right around the tyre. Check your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure and have no nicks or cuts. If you are heading up to the mountains for some skiing investing in a set of chains may be worthwhile.
• Windscreen - Keep your windows clean and free of streaks. Early morning and late evening sun will highlight any smears on your windscreen obscuring your vision. Ensure your wiper blades and window washers are working.
• Brakes - Check that fluid levels are correct and your brakes are not grabbing or squealing which can be a sign that they need replacing.
• Lights - Ensure that all your lights work front and back. Remember fog lights are for use in fog only and when used incorrectly can be a hazard to other drivers.
• Battery - Winter is hard on your car battery. Cold morning starts will really test your battery.

Winter Driving

Before you even start out ensure all your windows are clean and free of ice. It is better to scrap off ice rather than pour water on your windows as not only do you risk your window creaking there is a good chance that it will freeze up again before your car has warmed up enough to defrost the windows.

When driving the most important thing you can do is slow down, driving to the speed limit is often too fast in wet or icy conditions. Increase your following distance, it takes longer to stop so give yourself more room.

Make sure you can be seen. Driving with your lights dipped helps others to see your vehicle. Driving with your lights on high beam in fog only results in the light being reflected straight back at you making visibility even harder.

Ensure you know how to use your accelerator and brake correctly in slippery conditions. When accelerating push the pedal gently, sudden acceleration can result in wheel spin and loss of traction. When braking make sure to apply the brake pedal smoothly. You can break quite hard but the key is to apply the brake pedal smoothly.

Frost is more severe at daybreak so be prepared for this as it becomes light. While it may not be frosty at 6am, it could be an hour or two later.

Watch out for shaded areas caused by high banks and tall trees where roads may not see the sun. These areas are likely to stay frozen all day so ice may be present even in the afternoon.

Another phenomena that is encountered in the South Waikato is "black ice" While not truly black, it is virtually transparent, allowing the black roadway to be seen through it, hence the term "black ice". Driving on a road covered with black ice is particularly dangerous because the roadway can appear to be merely wet, so drivers may not recognize the slippery conditions until too late.

In areas were ice has been identified or in conditions that ice is likely to form grit may be spread on the road surface to help improve the grip of the road. This isn't a guarantee that you can drive at normal speeds so you will still need to keep your speed down. If you see grit has being spread drive on it where possible rather than in wheel tracks to maximize its effect.

If you encounter areas of ice on the road which do not have grit on it contact the council so the roading crews can be notified and attend to the problem.

Keys points to remember are:

• Drive to the conditions
• Allow greater following distances on frosty and wet days.
• Obey emergency road closed signs and barriers
• Avoid towing in icy conditions.

For information on current conditions or closures check online at www.highwayinfo.govt.nz