Skid Row… Winter Weather and Wet Roads put Drivers in a Spin

As winter approaches, Government figures show that slippery roads were one of the biggest factors for car crashes last year.

Yet many of these accidents might have been avoided if the driver had been on a skid pan experience, where drivers learn how to recover a skidding car.

Information obtained from the Department for Transport reveals that 5,495 accidents in 2017 were caused by slippery roads due to the weather.

Furthermore, rain, sleet, snow or fog was also to blame for 1,244 car accidents when it affected the driver’s visibility.

Dan Jones, Operations Manager at Trackdays.co.uk, said: “Many drivers tend to panic when going into a skid. It’s no surprise really as skid control is not a natural skill to have and the reaction of drivers can worsen the situation.

“One way to prepare for the deteriorating driving conditions over the coming months is by honing your skills on a skid pan, where experienced instructors teach drivers how to recover a car from a skid in a safe and controlled environment.

“And while skid control is an important skill to learn, which could potentially help save lives on the UK roads, instructors make sure it is also done in a fun and enjoyable way.”

Aside from the driving conditions, loss of control of a car was also a contributory factor in more than 8,000 accidents in 2017.

Dan added: “In Sweden, for instance, skid control is part of driver training. Given last year’s particularly harsh winter and the Beast from the East, with some predictions that severe winters could become the norm, then perhaps Government should also consider making it mandatory in the UK for learner drivers.”