Drivers warned not to use first gear on their car before Sunday morning

Drivers warned not to use first gear on their car before Sunday morning
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Drivers have been warned NOT to use first gear before Thursday if they are heading out in their cars. As a UK snow storm continues, motorists and road users have been urged to take care on the roads as the conditions continue to worsen.

Overnight snow in Northern Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and South West England, along with below-freezing temperatures, has meant icy conditions this morning throughout the UK. Today will be another cold day with a mix of rain, sleet, and snow expected across various regions. The type of precipitation will depend on location, with a significant risk of ice overnight, and temperatures expected to drop to -3°C in some areas

Liam Barnes, Manager at the private number plate company TopReg, advised: "Snow can make it much more difficult to have control over your car, especially when you’re pulling away. For that reason, I would recommend pulling away in second rather than first gear. This reduces the chance of spinning the wheels and digging yourself into a rut."

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He continued: "If you drive an automatic, your car likely will have a ‘snow’ or ’winter’ gearbox mode. This does the same job as pulling away in second gear. You can check your handbook for details." Met Office Chief Forecaster, Jason Kelly, said: “With cold weather persisting across the UK this week we have a number of severe weather warnings for wintry hazards.

"Snow showers will continue to fall over Scotland, Northern Ireland and into Northern Wales and northern England too. Where surface water and snow freeze overnight there is a risk of ice as temperatures widely dip below freezing."

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The warning from Mr Kelly continues, telling people in the UK: "There will however be good spells of sunshine for those away from northern coasts, though it’ll still feel cold in the northerly breeze.” Thursday and Friday will bring continued low temperatures with snow and ice warnings likely to be issued as confidence in the most likely impacted areas increases.

Fronts moving in from the southwest on Friday and Saturday bring the potential for more snow, with the possibility of further warnings. Sunday could see milder air wash away and melt snowfall.