DRIVING SAFELY IN ICY CONDITIONS
Many van hire companies do not provide high spec vehicles, which have extra functionality such as a heated front windscreen to make driving in the winter safer.
We all know what it’s like and how treacherous it can be to drive in icy conditions in our own vehicles, so when hiring a van or lorry it can often be nerve-wracking experience. When hiring a van we all want as much comfort as possible to keep our van hire experience as comfortable and as safe as possible, so finding vans and lorries to hire which have a heated front windscreen and other comforts is not always easy.
With van rental company Callvan Hire, all vehicles (post 2007) have been given a higher specification to give you the comfort and luxury you have when driving your car: These items include heated front screens, CD player, electric windows, air con, electric and heated mirrors, and front fog lights. In 2008 Callvan Hire added reversing sensors to all their new vehicles to make driving easier.
All rental vehicles at Callvan Hire are Ford and the reason their vans are the most common make to have heated front windscreens is that they own the patent on the tiny wires embedded in the screen.
The winter weather is likely to highlight many motorists’ lack of knowledge of how to drive in icy conditions, says motoring organisation RAC.
When sub-zero temperatures are forecast and ice or black ice is inevitable, motorists should:
Slow down, steer gently and avoid harsh turns, braking or acceleration.
Keep a safe distance between themselves and other vehicles.
Look well ahead to anticipate problems.
When pulling away, use 2nd gear if possible to avoid wheel spin.
When braking, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allowing the speed to fall, and use the brake pedal gently.
If in a skid, turn the steering into the skid, easing off the accelerator but not braking suddenly.
When cornering, allow the speed to reduce well before bends and corners by easing off the accelerator. Try to avoid using the accelerator in rounding a corner as it may cause wheel spin and result in a skid.
When encountering black ice – which though not visible can be detected because the steering will feel light and/or the noise created by the tyres on the road will cease – reduce speed by easing off the accelerator rather than braking.
This press article has been written by Callvan Hire. Callvan Hire offers a comprehensive and diverse range of modern vans, trucks, refrigerated vans and chillers ready for rental/contract hire at a minutes notice. Coupled with Callvan Hire’s regular maintenance checks we provide you with a faultless vehicle and an efficient service, leaving you safe in the knowledge that no matter how large or small the job, and whatever the distance, a Callvan hire vehicle won’t let you down.
