Driving safely in winter weather

In this article is some tips on setting up journeys from Site visitors Scotland, who presents current and long term travel data for motorists using the Scottish trunk road and motorway community which consists of big A streets and motorways.

Check out the Visitors Scotland web site just before you vacation in Scotland

The route planner on the Traffic Scotland site homepage provides the solution to enter your place and destination to recognize the greatest route to take. You can utilize filters these as congestion, recent incidents, stay website traffic cameras, roadworks and climate warnings to the map on the homepage to get the complete picture of what journey looks like on that working day, or in the long run. An additional helpful device is Targeted visitors Scotland Radio which supplies nationwide and regional travel info and guidance direct from the Traffic Scotland Management Centre.

Equivalent info is accessible for other parts of the British isles by using these backlinks: England, Wales, Northern Eire. 

Preserve your vehicle 

Just before you head off in winter, it’s finest to be prepared. Pack an unexpected emergency journey kit. Examine your lights and tyres and obvious your windscreens of any ice or snow. 

Go away added time

Every time you’re scheduling to vacation, do not be in a rush. All through wintertime months, circumstances can be tough – if you’re working late, it may possibly be tempting go quicker than is safe and sound in the conditions. Make the journey as clean as achievable and get there in lots of time. 

Have a glance at the Targeted traffic Scotland gritter tracker 

If weather conditions disorders are especially chilly, the gritter tracker will display wherever the gritters have been so that you have an strategy of what the roadways conditions are like. Did you know that Site visitors Scotland gritters are named? Gritty Gonzales, William Wall-ice and Sweet Boy or girl O’ Brine are just some of them. 

Think about investing in winter season tyres 

Wintertime tyres are tyres made to give utmost traction on streets. They’re not just for vans, taxis and other industrial vehicles. They are also wonderful for non-public automobiles and can help you quit sooner – reducing your halting distance by up to 40%. 

Drive to the ailments of the road 

Leave added stopping length from the auto in entrance, continue to keep equally arms on the wheel and just take your time. It’s better to get there later on and safely, relatively than the substitute. Use the Visitors Scotland dwell targeted visitors cameras to view the conditions and congestion on the roads.

Shell out attention to symptoms on the road 

Targeted visitors Scotland variable information symptoms display critical information and facts about the highway ahead. They are made use of to notify you about incidents, roadworks, congestion or ailments on the road forward (these kinds of as surface water), as properly as any pace limitations, assisting to make your journey safer.  Red Xs on the overhead indications demonstrate which lanes are closed. It is unlawful to carry on travelling in a lane with a red X overhead. You should move to an open lane when you see this. Similar guidelines are in put if you are travelling in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

The command room crew at the Targeted visitors Scotland Countrywide Control Centre in South Queensferry will work carefully with husband or wife organisations which includes Law enforcement Scotland, Ready Scotland, street operating businesses and the Satisfied Workplace to keep track of harmful climate disorders and determine methods to make the roadways as secure as doable, as nicely as, to share travel assistance and strategies to street customers. 

Extra information about travelling in winter season in Scotland can be discovered on the Visitors Scotland site. You can also pay attention to journey details or report any road defects by using the Shopper Careline on 0800 028 1414.