Police in Bury St Edmunds are urging us to take care on the region’s roads ahead of snow which is forecast this weekend.
The Met Office forecasts snow across East Anglia overnight Saturday into Sunday.
Speaking on social media a spokesperson from Bury St Edmunds Police said “Remember, the lockdown means you should only leave home for essential purposes but if you do venture out, please drive with care and be wary of ice & snow on roads”.
Advice for driving in bad weather:
- Increase your distance behind other vehicles. Make sure that there is enough room between your car and the vehicle in front to allow you to stop suddenly if you need to.
- Make sure all your car lights are working and you have no failed bulbs.
- Make sure you are aware of what is happening around you. Check your speedometer, rear vision, and side mirrors frequently and look well ahead to try to anticipate problems before they confront you.
- Make sure you have sufficient fuel for your journey. Keep the fuel tank topped up.
- Give yourself extra time for your journey and drive at a constant speed. Accept your journey will take longer and don’t take risks.
- Take a mobile telephone with you and make sure it is fully charged. Carry a mobile charger in the car.
- When visibility is reduced, use dipped headlights. Don’t leave your lights on full beam when approaching or following other motorists. It dazzles other drivers and can cause them to be distracted or even blinded, which is dangerous.
- Ensure that dirt, salt and snow is cleared away from light fixtures.
- Always ensure all windows are fully cleared of snow, frost and condensation before setting off on a journey – it is illegal to drive with obscured vision.
- Also clear snow from the top of the car as this can fall down and obscure your windscreen while you are driving.
- Keep windscreen washer fluid topped up as windscreens quickly become dirty from traffic spray and salt from the roads.
- If you get stuck in the snow stay with your car, but in an emergency if you do need to leave it, park it out of the main traffic route, where it won’t cause an obstruction when conditions ease. Leave a contact number on the inside of the windscreen and return to your car at the first opportunity you have.
