Roads Policing Message -Winter Ready – A guide for All Road Users

As winter approaches, it’s essential for all road users—drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians—to prepare for the unique challenges that come with colder, darker, and often hazardous conditions. Motorists should begin by ensuring their vehicles are in top condition: check tyre tread depth and pressure, replace worn wiper blades, and top up antifreeze and windshield washer fluids. Keeping an emergency kit in the car—containing items such as blankets, a flashlight, a medical kit, etc. — these can make a big difference if you become stranded. It’s also wise to plan journeys carefully, allowing extra time and checking weather and traffic updates before setting out.

Cyclists and pedestrians must also take extra precautions to stay safe during the winter months. Visibility is a key concern, so wearing bright or reflective clothing and using proper lighting is vital. Cyclists should ensure their brakes are responsive and consider using tyres with better grip for icy or wet roads. Pedestrians should wear appropriate footwear to prevent slips and stay alert for vehicles that may need longer stopping distances on snow or ice. By preparing properly and adapting to changing road conditions, everyone can help keep themselves—and others—safe throughout the winter season and always be W.I.N.T.E.R.  R.E.A.D.Y.

W        Windows        Always make sure that your windows and side mirrors are free of frost and condensation BEFORE you begin your journey. There is nothing more dangerous than driving your vehicle when you are not able to see out of all the windows properly.

I           Inspect            Make sure that your vehicle is serviced and in proper working order. Ensure that it is free of external damage and that all lights are working. Ensure that you have the correct oil and that the windscreen washer is topped up. This is especially important at this time of year with extra dirt and muck on our roads that may get thrown up onto your windscreen by other road users. Also make sure that your windscreen washer fluid has anti-freeze in it as there is no point in having a full reservoir of washer fluid if its frozen solid when you need it

N         Necessary       If the weather is bad you need to decide if your journey is absolutely necessary. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a red weather warning, an orange or yellow weather warning also can create dangerous driving conditions.

T          Tyres               Always make sure that your tyres are properly inflated and that you have the correct thread depth. The minimum thread depth for tyres is 1.6mm across ¾ of the tyre. This is the minimum depth and we would recommend that you have your tyres changed well in advance of this. Any changes to your tyre pressure and falling below the minimum thread depth puts you, your passengers and other road users at a much higher risk of a collision, serious injury and maybe even death.

E          Equipment     If you are a pedestrian or cyclist we would strongly recommend that you wear a high visibility jacket at all times. Cyclists should also be wearing a helmet when cycling their bikes. Obviously during the hours of darkness cyclists should also have lights on their bikes, white at the front and red at the rear. We would also strongly recommend that pedestrians carry a small light on their person when walking in dimly lit areas. While this may not seem very important to you now, these items could literally be the difference between life and death. For the drivers of vehicles, they should have a small bag in their vehicle at all times containing the following items – High Visibility jacket x 2, torch with batteries, small medical kit, warning triangle, warm blanket.         

R          Rest                 Always make sure that you are properly rested before you begin your journey. If at any time during your journey that you are feeling tired, then make sure to pull in someplace safe, take a small rest and have a strong cup of coffee. Driver Fatigue is a real danger on our roads – Never driver Tired.

R          Refuel             Make sure that there is always at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle or that it’s at least 50% charged for electric vehicles. One never knows what your little journey to the shops or collecting the kids might entail. If you make sure that your vehicle is properly fuelled or charged, then it might prevent something serious from happening.

E          Everyone                    Our roads are a shared space for everyone, drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, E Scooters and pedestrians. We encourage everyone to be tolerant, patient and to look out for all other road users at all times when we are using this shared space.

A          Always Plan                Try and always plan your journey. By doing so it may prevent unnecessary hardship or a collision. Take into account all of the WINTER READY advices.

D          Driving Impaired        Drunk Driving, Drug Driving or any type of Driving Impaired on our roads is never ever ok. We encourage everyone to be conscious of their behaviour on our road and to never drive under the influence.

Y          YOU                 Finally, we encourage everyone to take responsibility for their actions on our roads. Whether you are a driver, a passenger, a cyclist or a pedestrian, our roads are exactly that – our roads, our shared space. If you take responsibility for your actions and try your best to be as safe as possible then it will make them safe for you, your family, your friends and for everyone else.