Friday 30 January 2015

Don't Lose Your Grip on Salty Roads

As the Met Office issues yellow weather warnings of ice and snow for much of the country, roads are expected to be gritted to prevent snow from settling. The IAM’s chief examiner, Peter Rodger, is offering advice to motorists to cope better with driving on road surfaces that have been recently treated.

If weather conditions are severe in your area, you should take notice of police advice and simply not travel. However, in the exceptional circumstances where this is unavoidable, make sure you drive safely and with extra caution on icy roads.

Salt will often make the windscreen, headlights, number plate and rear parts of your car very dirty. Cars without headlamp washers, for example, will lose an estimated 40% of luminosity, and possibly all their focus in about 20 miles on a damp, gritted motorway. When travelling long distances it is advised that you stop regularly at service stations to clean your windscreen and headlights with a clean cloth. Or keep a filled litre or two of water in the car boot to give your lights, windows and mirrors a quick wash over – a handy investment to top-up your windscreen washer reservoir when needed too.

When driving on a busy road, avoid overtaking a gritting lorry as the road ahead may not be treated yet. If you have any doubt, don’t risk it. Never overtake a snow plough in heavy snow conditions.
While roads may be gritted to give you better traction some areas may not be completely treated, leaving ice patches exposed. You should therefore drive at a steady pace – ensuring the safety of you and your passengers.

It’s important that you keep your car clean throughout the winter as the salt in grit can cause external damage such as corrosion to any exposed suspension parts. Ensure that you thoroughly wash the underside of your car when you can to stop salt from settling.

Don’t forget to wash/rinse alloy wheels too; the smallest scratch can quickly become a large rust patch.

Rodger said: “Preparation is the key to avoiding a dangerous situation whilst driving in snowy or icy conditions. Don’t rely on the performance of your car systems to get you out of trouble – allow time, make sure you have good visibility all round and carry the right equipment.”


Peter Rodger is the IAM’s chief examiner
The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving and motorcycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 200 local volunteer groups and over 100,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving and motorcycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.
  
The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank the IAM for this week's welcome advice and would also like to add that motorists can download the Free Good Garage Scheme App before setting off in case they do run into any trouble.

Friday 23 January 2015

Read How BEN helped Kate & Tim

Ben is the UK's dedicated charity for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive and related industries, as well as their dependants and is the chosen charity of the Good Garage Scheme.

At a recent charity ball held by BEN, Kate and Tim Weaver shared their story about how BEN helped them when they needed it. 

We are grateful for the permission to share the video of Kate speaking at the event and hope it will inspire those to give generously to BEN and also make those in the automotive industry aware of the help that is available to them.

For more information about BEN, please visit www.ben.org.uk.

Friday 16 January 2015

Good Garage Scheme Supports Automotive Charity BEN

BEN is the chosen charity of the Good Garage Scheme.  The charity is dedicated for those who work, or have worked in the automotive and related industries, as well as their dependents.

Each year we make time at Christmas to visit the day care centre which closest to our Good Garage Scheme head office and send along a hamper for the centre to enjoy.
Arthur Wilson House in Coventry

It is wonderful to see what is available for those who need it and on the day of our visit, the staff were telling us how much the residents enjoyed their annual Christmas party on the previous day.

The centre offers a safe and comfortable place where anyone with a connection to the automotive or related industries can leave an elderly relative to be cared for during the working day. They also welcome those who are more independent who may benefit from socialising or taking part in organised activities and outings. The Centre has up to 25 members each day enjoying a range of entertainment, activities, games and trips to local attractions.

If you are interested in more information about BEN and the work they do or help they can offer, please visit www.BEN.org.uk.