- Thrifty Car Rental gives its top tips for driving in winter conditions
LONDON, Feb. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- With the Winter Olympics in Sochi due to kick off this weekend, many winter sports enthusiasts have been inspired to head to ski-slopes across Europe. However, with driving conditions particularly challenging in the snow, Thrifty Car Rental (www.thriftycars4rent.com), part of the Hertz Corporation (NYSE:HTZ), has put together some useful tips to help drivers stay safe on the road.
Tom Kelley, Vice President, Dollar Thrifty International, explained: "Hiring a vehicle can be an affordable and convenient transport solution when travelling to and getting around ski-resorts in Europe. However, families and enthusiasts who are heading to the slopes this winter must be particularly careful when setting off on any journey. Driving in the snow can be a challenging and potentially dangerous activity and drivers must be fully prepared for all scenarios. Therefore we decided to share some helpful safe driving advice to anyone who plans to get behind the wheel for business or pleasure over the next month."
When travelling in a foreign country or region, it is often unknown what conditions or terrain you may face on your journey. Therefore it is always important to be prepared for the worst, especially when driving in snowy, slushy, or icy conditions and the following tips may come in handy:
- Know where you're going before you set out in your car, as everything can look very different under a layer of thick snow, and signs may be obscured. If you have a sat nav / GPS, then programme it before you set off to find the best route.
- Listen to weather and traffic forecasts and check for road closures. If bad weather is predicted, listen for guidance from weather forecasters and traffic agencies. It may be advisable to delay your trip, even just a few hours can make a difference.
- Before you start out warm the car and ensure that all lights, windows and mirrors are clean and free of snow and ice. Don't use hot water on glass – the sudden change can crack the glass; an ice-scraper is inexpensive and effective. On the inside, use the air-con to remove condensation and activate front and rear windscreen heaters.
- Make sure that you and your passengers are equipped for bad weather. Dress warmly and have a rug or blanket in the boot of the car. Winter sun can be low and cause glare, especially in snowy conditions, so have suitable driving glasses to hand in your car.
- Drive slowly – Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning…nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to manoeuvre by driving slowly.
- Increase following distance – The normal dry road following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds in snow and slushy conditions.
- Watch out for black ice - remember it may not always be visible. Drive your car with extreme caution. Try not to brake sharply. If you do go into a skid, drive into it, and never brake on ice.
- If your car gets stuck in snow, shift into a high gear, keep your wheels straight and gently go back and forth until you are free. A spade or old sack/rug can help in case you can't drive straight out.
For those families who do not own a car or are flying to their destination, renting a vehicle at their resort is often a convenient and affordable travel solution. Hiring a car can be essential for those self-catering - especially if located outside of a resort - offering the freedom to explore a variety of ski runs and other winter destinations at your own leisure. Car rental companies like Thrifty provide a wide range of reliable, nearly new cars suited to tackling difficult winter terrain and conditions. Vehicles can also be equipped with essential winter driving gear, including ski racks and tyre chains where needed.
Thrifty has locations at all major airports near to the ski resorts in the mountains of the Pyrenees, the Alps and Sierra Nevada - in the south of Spain -. All vehicles also come with free 24/7 roadside assistance should you encounter any problems.
For more information about Thrifty Car Rental's destinations and services, visit www.thriftycars4rent.com.
Notes to editors:
About Thrifty
Thrifty Car Rental, subsidiary of The Hertz Corporation, has served value-conscious travellers since 1958. Together, Thrifty and Dollar have approximately 1,400 corporate and franchisee locations in circa 75 countries. For more information, visit: www.thrifty.com.
Hertz Group Press Contact
Nicola Hanley
Ketchum
T: +44 (0) 207 611 3597
E: nicola.hanley@ketchum.com
Ian Savage
Ketchum
T: +44 (0) 207 611 3774
E: ian.savage@ketchum.com
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