The Uber driver's guide to staying safe on the roads in winter

Staying safe on the road is always a top priority, and with winter approaching, it's crucial to prepare for challenging driving conditions. In London, winter months often bring increased hazards such as fog, rain, and icy roads, all of which contribute to a higher incidence of accidents.

Winter Accident Statistics in London

Recent data underscores the heightened risks during winter:

• Increased Accident Likelihood: Drivers are 15% more likely to experience an accident during winter compared to summer across the UK. In London, the increase is around 9%, indicating a significant seasonal impact on road safety.

• High-Risk Areas: Certain London boroughs report higher accident rates. For instance, Croydon has been identified as having more car crashes than any other area in London.

Tips for safe winter driving

Check out some of our tips for winter driving that will hopefully help you prepare for the season ahead.

1. Maximise your visibility

During the winter months the days are shorter, there’s more fog, and rain and snow further reduce visibility. Driving more cautiously is your best bet to avoid accidents, but it’s also paramount to make sure other drivers and pedestrians can also see you coming in time.

Our top tips to give yourself plenty of reaction time and also keeping safe on the road include the following:

• Check that all lights are clean and functioning, and replace any dim or burnt-out bulbs.

• Don’t forget to turn on your fog lights when it’s necessary, but pay equal attention to turning them off when the weather is clear so you don’t blind other drivers.

• Inspect your wiper blades frequently to ensure they clean your windscreen properly – don’t forget to top up your washer fluid with a good-quality winter mix and keep a small bottle for backup in the boot.

• Clean windows inside and out to prevent fogging, and use your car’s heating or air conditioning to demist effectively.

2. Regularly inspect your tyres

Your tyres are essential for your car’s safety year-round, but they require extra attention during winter. Regularly check for damage like low tread depth, splits, or bulges, especially after washing your car—a habit to adopt more frequently during wet winter months.

Clean tyres make it easier to spot potential issues, while regular car washes prevent rust caused by corrosive road salt, protecting both your brakes and bodywork. Taking these steps in winter will also save you time on maintenance come spring.

• Ensure your tyres have at least 3mm of tread depth (legal minimum is 1.6mm).

• Regularly check and maintain the recommended tyre pressure.

• Look for any signs of damage, such as cuts or bulges, and consider winter tyres for added safety.

TIP: You can check tread depth easily by placing a penny between the grooves at various spots on all four tyres. If you can see the top of the Queen’s crown, you should change your tyres soon.

3. Be prepared

Even before become an Uber driver, you are taught the best way to stay safe is to plan ahead. Remember, your car is your work tool, and while it should be prepared for anything the weather throws at it, don’t forget about yourself either:

• Keep a winter kit in your car, including an ice scraper, de-icer, flashlight, warm clothing, and a first aid kit.

• Have snacks and water handy to stay alert and hydrated.

• Regularly check the weather forecast and try to predict any rain, snow or fog that may be on its way.

• Plan to take routes that avoid known accident hotspots.

4. Adjust your driving habits

Adapting your driving style to winter conditions is one of the best ways to stay safe:

• Drive slower than usual and maintain a greater distance from the car ahead to allow for longer stopping distances.

• Use higher gears to reduce wheel spin on icy roads.

• Avoid sudden braking or sharp steering to prevent skidding and maintain control.

By taking these precautions and staying vigilant, you can navigate London's roads safely this winter, protecting yourself and those around you.

About Splend

At Splend, we believe in drivers. We know their vehicles need to work harder than most; that they drive more miles than most; that their insurance is hefty; their maintenance costs high and that they can face unreasonable finance rates – which is a heavy load to carry on their own.

That’s why at Splend, we exist to support rideshare drivers with a new model, that takes all those car ownership costs, and provides them for less, with lower purchase prices, better rates, lower servicing and insurance costs – all for one weekly repayment, all in one place.