Keeping passengers snug in a car this winter
Thursday, 22 December 2011
With the temperatures across the UK taking a tumble and the mercury regularly dipping into the minus figures, car insurance policyholders may be looking at ways of keeping themselves and passengers warm during a winter road trip.
One problem with this is that many drivers could be tempted to just ramp up their vehicle's air conditioning so that hot air wafts out around the motor.
However, while choosing this tactic will likely act as a quick-fire method of keeping people snug during a journey, it could see fuel bills hike up at lightening pace too.
There are other simple ways to ensure everyone in a car pool is comfy during the winter while keeping a hold of the pennies at the same time.
Here are just a couple of tips to steer motorists in the right direction.
Prepare for a winter's day road trip
In order to ensure that people do not become freezing cold while sitting in the passenger seat, drivers should take steps to plan for a dip in temperatures.
The old saying goes that a person will find it difficult to keep their body warm should their feet become wet, damp or cold.
Motorists and passengers should definitely keep this message in mind and act on it, by ensuring that they are wearing dry and comfortable footwear.
Try to balance comfort with safety though, as drivers who were shoes which makes it difficult to press the brake or clutch pedals could find themselves in more danger than they need to be in.
Another way to keep warm is to prepare a trip so that it can be completed in the shortest possible time.
This can be achieved by listening out for the latest traffic news to see if there are delays or roadworks on some routes, and then planning an alternative route if possible.
Ensure an emergency kit is part of a journey
The harsh wintry weather can also easily bring about breakdowns, as a car fails to keep up its energy when freezing weather surrounds it.
No one wants to be left at the side of the road waiting for assistance to arrive, but this will be made even more daunting should motorists fail to pack an emergency kit for such an issue.
Many items found inside this self-assembled package should keep everyone in a car feeling snug, such as a thick blanket and extra layers of clothing.
A first aid kit, a torch with replacement batteries and a road atlas should also be packed into an emergency kit, with all of these items able to slot into a boot while leaving plenty of extra space.
If drivers follow these words of advice they will have peace of mind that they will not necessarily need to blast the air conditioning at full pelt and watch their pennies disappear while they try to satisfy their passengers over the winter.
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