UK drivers unprepared for winter conditions

11:55 16 December 2011

New research from Sainsbury's car insurance suggests that 13.7 million drivers are not aware of what to do if their car goes into a skid and worryingly, over a quarter (27%) of drivers who find themselves in a skid would take remedial action that would make their situation worse.

To help, Sainsbury's car insurance has offered the following safe driving tips:

• Feeling the car slide can be very scary – if roads are icy reduce your speed and join major routes as soon as possible
• Skidding can be a big fear but driving slowly can prevent it – don't brake or accelerate hastily, drop gears before applying brakes

If you do skid -

• Lift your foot gently off the accelerator. This will allow your car to slow smoothly and gently
• If you need to continue driving then do so slowly using a high gear. This will help you avoid hard acceleration, which could spin the wheels
• If there is no response when you turn the steering wheel and the car continues on ahead remove your foot from the accelerator. This throws the weight balance of the car forwards and helps the tyres find grip
• Take care on motorways and dual carriageways – don't let other drivers influence your speed and don't hug the car in front
• Take extra care around large vehicles which may not see you
• Give motorcyclists and cyclists plenty of room
• If you get stuck in ice or snow make sure your handbrake brake is on – clear the area around the wheels and apply grit or salt around the slipping wheel – use low revs to gently move away. Taking off in second gear can provide more traction.

For more information, visit the Sainsbury's Finance website