In winter, even a small car breakdown can become dangerous: always carry this essential kit with you to stay safe on the road.
Driving in winter requires taking certain precautions, especially if you are about to take a long drive in difficult weather conditions. It is obviously essential to ensure that the car is in good condition and that all the lights are green: the different oil or coolant levels, the battery, the lights, the windshield wipers, etc. Also pay attention to the choice of tires! Depending on the weather, it may be necessary to install winter tires which provide better grip on snow or ice, or even, if you have to drive on a very difficult road, to provide snow chains.
But you should also remember to have a few essential items in your car to deal with any eventuality during the winter: a breakdown, the need to wait for a tow truck in the cold, the impossibility of using the heating. Among the items needed in the car in winter: a warm blanket (or survival blanket), a flashlight with extra batteries, warm clothes, warm, waterproof shoes, a scraper for the windshield, jumper cables for the battery. Another accessory that we tend to forget can be useful and it is recommended to keep a copy in your glove box.
Tip number 1: it is essential to have a sufficiently charged phone to be able to contact a tow truck or emergency services if necessary (if there is no call point nearby). Remember that our smartphone batteries discharge more quickly in winter. You should therefore always have a charging cable in the car that you can plug in, or a charged external battery, in case it is impossible to charge the phone in the car, especially if it no longer starts. Finally, also provide enough food and water for all passengers in the car. Of course, but these elements are normally present in your car in all seasons: a warning triangle and a reflective vest are essential.
If you need to call emergency services or a tow truck, whether you are on a normal road or a highway, keep these few safety rules in mind. It is imperative to park on the shoulder or at the emergency lane on the motorway. If you have to get out of the vehicle, always on the side facing away from traffic, put on the reflective vest. Stay in the vehicle or move to safety behind the guardrail while waiting for the tow truck or emergency services to arrive.
