Posted by Greg Throughton
Motorists and those with Smev caravan hobs and cookers have been offered advice about how they can improve safety and stopping distance when braking in adverse weather conditions.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) Drive & Survive's head of training, Simon Elstow said that braking is a skill which requires work and practice, something that is never more important than in icy and snowy conditions.
He explained that motorists should brake smoothly and in a straight line, something that is aided by looking and planning ahead, noting that by keeping an eye on developing traffic conditions can mean drivers could take measures to avoid braking altogether.
It is also important not to underestimate how long it takes to stop in bad weather. At 30mph it will take 23m to stop, while at 50mph this doubles.
"Do it properly and you'll improve fuel consumption and journey times. If you prepare in time, and look further down the road, you can avoid stopping as often – for example, look ahead and plan to meet a gap in the traffic on a roundabout," Mr Elstow said.
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