After Lyon on Tuesday, snowfall is expected in Paris and other major cities north of the Loire on Wednesday. What to fear the worst in terms of traffic, with a network of stopped buses and motorists sometimes stuck on the small roads of the Rhône department.
If you have to hit the road in these conditions, here are some tips to follow:
Before leaving
Check that there is no snow under the thresholds, in front of the car, and remember to clear it as much as possible. When braking, or even when taking a curve, snow can fall from the roof of the vehicle, with the risk of surprising you and injuring someone.
Be careful with your tyres: cold can reduce pressure (0.1 bar less when the temperature drops 5°C on average). Rubber also tends to harden when cold. All-season tires or better, winter tires, provide better grip, with a specific compound.
These tires adapted to the winter season, or as an alternative to removable equipment (chains or socks), are mandatory in the municipalities of 34 departments from November 1 to March 31.
The cold also weighs on liquids. So check if the windscreen washer reservoir is full enough to deal with bad weather. This windshield washer must be antifreeze (so forget about soapy water for example, to fill the tank in a hurry). Also check the battery and the proper functioning of the traffic lights.
At the wheel
You can start in second gear to limit wheel spin. Even more than in normal times, sudden acceleration and braking should be avoided because they will only increase the risk of skidding.
In recent cars, the brake is still the best ally to immobilize the vehicle in a straight line, but remember to slow down, increase the safety distance and anticipate the different braking situations as much as possible. Braking distance can be multiplied by 10 on a snow-covered road.
In the event of snowfall or fog, in brief situations in which visibility is less than 50 meters, the speed is limited to 50 km/h on the motorway.
As a non-driver, if you feel like your vehicle is chasing ahead or behind, don’t brake. To get out of this situation, it is better to use countersteer and try to regain traction.
If you see a curve coming, slow down soon enough because once you hit it, it’s not about braking (or speeding up). A great rule to remember: You should always brake while keeping your wheels straight.
Driving in the tracks of vehicles that have preceded you is a good way to maintain some grip.
Also give priority to the snow plows you find. It is strictly forbidden to fold them.
Some items to have in your car
Bad weather can cause big traffic jams. If you have to spend several hours stuck in your vehicle, here is the list of essential items to have in the passenger compartment:
- A squeegee to defrost windows
- A small shovel to remove snow around the vehicle.
- Coverage
- Gloves
- a flashlight
- A safety vest and a warning triangle (mandatory, to keep in the passenger compartment)
- A container of antifreeze windshield washer fluid
- a deicing bomb
- First aid kit
- Water and cereal bars or small snacks
Source: BFM TV
