HAIL STORMS CAUSE CRASHES IN CUMBRIA
HAIL STORMS CAUSE CRASHES IN CUMBRIA
Posted: January 27, 2012
Today’s hail storms have caused accidents on the M6 through Cumbria.
Two cars skidded off the Southbound carriageway near Kendal just after 11 o’ clock this morning.
A little earlier there was a crash up at Tebay when a car went into the central reservation.
Traffic police are urging drivers to slow down.
If your journey is essential, police offer the following advice to motorists:
Plan your journey in advance
Only drive if essential
Check weather forecasts and tune into local radio stations to check road conditions and closures
Tell someone at your destination what time you expect to arrive
Make sure you are equipped with warm clothes, food, boots, a torch and a spade
Clear your windows and mirrors before you set out and carry a screen scraper and de-icer
Drive according to the conditions:
Allow extra time and distance to brake as it can take ten times longer to stop
Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin
To brake without locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allow your speed to fall and use the brake pedal gently
Be wary of satellite navigation systems as they tend to direct you over high rural roads that are likely to be closed or particularly hazardous in winter
Do not assume that pedestrians have seen you. They may be elderly, young or not be able to hear you
Do not attempt to cross flooded roads if the water seems too deep
Drive slowly through water in first gear but keep the engine speed high by slipping the clutch – this will stop you from stalling
Test your brakes when you have driven through a flood before you drive again at normal speed
If you have an accident, break-down or become stuck in bad weather conditions:
Do not use a mobile phone while driving. Stop somewhere safe or ask a passenger to make the call
On a motorway, it is best to use a roadside emergency telephone because the emergency services and breakdown recovery services will be able to locate you easily. If you have to use a mobile phone, make sure you know your location from the numbers on the marker posts on the side of the hard shoulder
If you have to leave your vehicle to get help, make sure other drivers can see you
