PRESS RELEASE

Accident Advice Helpline Issues Guidelines For Safe Driving For

Drivers In The South of England This Winter.

Accident Advice Helpline, the UK's largest personal injury specialist law firm, has issued guidelines to drivers in the South of England advising them to take extra precautions when on the road this winter. Recently released statistics from 2014 show an alarming rise in road traffic accidents, due to bad weather conditions during the winter months.

While motor accidents are always more prevalent during winter, in recent years there has been an increase in injuries and fatalities due to driving in poor weather conditions. One reason may be that there is more traffic on our roads than previously, but extreme weather conditions are also becoming more common during winter. In fact, statistics issued by the Government show that during the winter months in 2014, 26% of road accidents in the South of England were caused directly by rain/flooding or snow affecting driving conditions.

Director of Marketing, David Carter comments: ‘There is a definite correlation statistics between bad weather and road traffic accidents. Drivers are several times more likely to have an accident in wet or icy conditions than when the weather is good. It's important that drivers realise this and adapt their driving habits to minimise the risk.'

Accident Advice Helpline has joined other driving organisations, such as the RAC, in providing drivers in the South of England with useful advice on how to prepare their vehicles for winter and to adapt their driving habits to reduce their chances of having an accident.

Here are Accident Advice Helpline's top ten tips for staying safe this winter:

1. Make sure tyres are in good condition. Check the tread and tyre pressures. While the minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm, this isn't sufficient when dealing with severe weather conditions. Ideally, all drivers should fit specially designed winter tyres that can offer greater control and reduce stopping distances in wet or icy conditions.

2. Likewise, keep your vehicle roadworthy and regularly serviced. Before setting off, ensure all lights, wipers and battery are functioning properly.

3. Always clear leaves etc. from the bonnet of the car as this debris can cause major damage to your car's engine by blocking the drainage holes under the bonnet so leading to water ingress in the engine via the heating system.

4. If necessary, use an ice scraper and de-icer and keep this in your car. Make sure you have an unimpeded view from all angles before you set off.

5. Check you have breakdown essentials, such as a high visibility jacket, spare fuel, tow-rope, torch, warm clothing and fully stocked first aid box in your boot at all times.

6. Check the weather forecast in advance of setting out and plan your journey to avoid known danger spots. If the weather is particularly bad, ask yourself if you really have to make that trip, or can it be postponed until the weather improves?

7. Many people suffer from illnesses, such as cold and flu, during the winter months. Never drive if you are taking a medication that can make you drowsy or affect your judgement.

8. Plan to leave earlier than usual in order to prepare your vehicle for adverse weather conditions and to give yourself more time for any delays.

9. Know your stopping distances. Breaking distances are doubled in wet conditions and can be as much as ten times the norm in icy conditions. Make sure you there's enough room between you and the vehicle in front in the event of sudden breaking.

10. Slow down. The best way to avoid an accident in treacherous conditions is to drive carefully and more slowly than you would in normal conditions.

Don't become a statistic this winter. Drive safely and arrive safely.

For more information, visitwww.accidentadvicehelpline.co.ukor telephone 0800 689 0500 (0333 500 0993 from mobiles).

ENDS

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Nikki Proctor - White Rabbit PR

Email: nikkiproctor4@gmail.com

Tel: 0792 1189048

Established in 2000, Accident Advice Helpline provides access to justice and injury compensation to victims of non-fault accidents. Accident Advice Helpline is the UK's largest personal injury specialist law firm and is recommended by consumer champion Esther Rantzen. The company offers free claim assessments and all claims are run on a 100% No-Win, No-Fee* basis.

*subject to insurance costs. Fee payable if case is not pursued at the client's request.