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Winter hazards lead to a rise in car accidents

23/12/2004

More car accidents happen in winter than any other time of the year due to worsening weather conditions and longer hours of darkness. Churchill's database of car insurance customers shows a 15 per cent increase in the amount of car accidents in the winter months with some snowy weeks showing a rise of 22%.

Darren McCauley, Head Car Insurance at Churchill said: “The increase in accidents can be attributed to the long dark evenings coupled with difficult driving conditions such as reduced visibility due to fog and mist, flooded roads and frost and ice.”

Typical autumn and winter driving accidents include:

Wet leaves on the roads causing skidding
Shattered windscreens due to grit on the roads
Drivers losing control of cars in the snow
Collisions due to poor visibility in fog and mist
Flooded roads causing damage to brakes

Where possible a pre-winter check by a qualified mechanic is advisable, but at the very least, Churchill offers the following tips, which could help reduce the risk of accidents:

Good maintenance of your tyres is essential – check the tread, pressure and general condition, all of which can affect braking. Ensure that your spare tyre is in good condition
Frequently check that all lights are working – headlights, indicators, fog lights, hazard warning lights and dashboard lights to ensure that other drivers can see you during the darker months. If your children ride bikes, make sure that their lights are in good working order and that they always wear reflective clothing when cycling
Good all round visibility is vital – check that your wiper blades are in good condition and ensure that the washer bottle is topped up. If the windscreen gets frozen, always lift the wiper blades off the windscreen before turning them on, otherwise you could damage the blades or the motor
Make sure that your car is topped up with the correct level of anti-freeze and always carry a scraper and/or a can of de-icer in your car
Continue to clean your car throughout winter, paying special attention to windows and headlights
Mobile phones have become an essential part of everyday life for most people and can be lifesavers in emergency situations. However, mobile phones should not be used when driving, as they can cause accidents, but keep one in the car to use in the case of a break down