Problem
The British newspapers have called the bad weather in February-March 'The Beast From The East. Readers in other countries regard British fuss and inability to cope with derision. What's actually happening and why and what can you do?
Answers
In countries which get snow every winter, it is normal to invest in snow tyres. In the old days, you had snow chains which were cheaper but did the job of gripping the ground and breaking through ice.
Winter Tyres
In Britain, many people have not invested in winter tyres. Yu only need them once every ten years. They are expensive to buy.
They are bulky to store. Four huge tyres. You need a garage with enough space around the car or above to store the tyres.
Then you need somebody willing and able to jack up the car and change the tyres. Alternatively, you have to pay a garage to do so. You need a car big enough to transport your four tyres to the garage - the small boot (in America called the trunk) of a sports car is not large enough. You would need four trips to the garage, or a friend willing to drive in weather when there are official warnings not to drive unless your journey is really necessary.
Travel Warnings
The warnings come from the police and AA (British Autobmobile Association. (When I lived in the USA the America equivalent was called AAA for American Automobile Association.)
Drivering Precautions
One driver in the UK told me:
1 When driving down a slope, he copied all the cars in front. Each driver waited until the car ahead had gone down and up again. That was to be sure you did not slide and hit the car in front.
Motorway Or Side Roads?
2 Several motorways have had long tailbacks. People without winter tyres are avoiding the ungritted side road.
However, my family member with winter tyres said he was avoiding motoways where, if you are stuck in a jam caused by an accident, you cannot turn round. He planned to use side roads so that he could change direction if there was a blockage ahead.
Being stuck in traffic is not joke. Firstly you are missing appointments and worring your family, friends and colleagues. Before setting off, check that you have charged your phone and charged any charging device such as the iWalk. You can buy chargers inexpensively.
Phone Chargers
Whilst your car is moving, you can charge your phone from the cigarette lighter. You need an adapter. Rather than taking it indoors and then having to remember to take it each time, invest in two or three adapters. Keep one in each car, plus a spare by your doorkeys to take with you when travelling in somebody else's car.
Food And Drink
Pack enough food and drink to last yourself 24 hours. It's a good idea to have something extra to share, so that if another driver or train passnger shares their food or drink, or offers it, you can reciprocate.
Documents and Phone Numbers
Have the adress and phone number of your destination and don't assume that your efficient spouse will have it. They may be assuming that you have it. Write it down, because having it in your phone is no use ifyour phone dies.
Don't rely on recognizing your friend's house. Your friend's house with the yellow door will look completely different in darkness or snow. The big car normally outside may have moved.
In addition to entertainment, pillows and blankets at night, you need food and drink to sustain you. A portable potty with a sealable cover would be handy so you don't have get out and slide about and get cold and undress in the snow but can urinate inside in the warmth of the car (ideally on a waterproof sheet), then quicly empty the potty by the roadside, or later at a motorway stop.
Route Planning
When planning your route, check the service stations with toilets, hot drinks, places to park, garages (in the USA called petrol stations or gas stations).
Alternative Routes
Do a spider diagram of all the alternative routes. If the way ahead is barred, what is the quickest route, left or right?
Check Meeting Times and Extended or Cut-off Times
At what point is it quicker to continue? At what point is it easier to go home? At what time should you continue travelling to a meeting? At what time should you give up and go back to base?
If you are going to a meeting at an office, will the people you are meeting be waiting for you whatever time you arrive? Will they be sleeping overnight in their office? Can you park and sleep there. Or will they have gone home early?
Evacuation Centres
In some countries a designated school or leisure centre is designated as the evacuation point providing food and drink and sleeping bags for those who are stranded in winter and any emergency. Check where this is. You might want to divert your route to be nearer this point.
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and phtographer, author and speaker. Please save and share links to your favourite posts.
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