MOTORISTS LOSE THEIR GRIP AS WINTER APPROACHES
As falling temperatures herald the arrival of winter, a new study from Halfords Autocentres reveals how much motorists fear winter motoring.
More than a third of motorists (33.8%) are anxious about driving in the deteriorating weather conditions - with one in ten (10.4%) admitting to being genuinely frightened.
Fears appear to be well founded - with two thirds of drivers (60.5%) unnerved by a skid whilst at the wheel, of which 15% resulted in them leaving the road and 9% in a collision either with another car or stationary object.
The survey by Britain’s leading independent garage chain was carried out to check how prepared motorists are for the bad weather. With severe conditions expected, Halfords Autocentres is encouraging drivers to get ready with a winter check from just £12.95.
Worryingly one in five motorists (19.4%) will perform no checks at all on their vehicle in preparation for winter – whilst many (41%) are planning to spend time building a snowman.
Almost a quarter (22%) of drivers feel that checks are unnecessary, whilst 43.8% cited not knowing what to check as the reason for their inactivity. Of those that do intend to make preparations for the winter, almost half (47.8%) are waiting until the temperatures become noticeably colder – which could be too late.
Halfords Autocentres’ Rory Carlin said: "Winter driving is very demanding on cars. Vital components like oil, anti-freeze and batteries should all be checked before the cold weather strikes to minimise the chances of being stranded in particularly unpleasant conditions.
“From a safety perspective tyres, lights and windscreen wipers also need to be kept in good condition and can significantly reduce the risk of an accident, which is why our winter inspection covers all of these things.”
Not only do many drivers not check their cars before winter – many don’t take the right precautions when it is freezing. The Halfords Autocentres study found that nearly a third (29.9%) of drivers do not adapt their driving style to take account of lower visibility and more slippery conditions.
In addition, almost a quarter (23%) fail to plan their route in advance to avoid traffic bottle necks or icy roads that may not have been treated.
Around one in five motorists (19.8%) don’t even check traffic reports on the TV or radio before departure and more than one in ten (12%) neglect to listen to the weather forecast before embarking on a winter journey.
Rory Carlin added: “Winter can be an expensive time. Energy bills and festive treats mean that car maintenance becomes a lower priority as people attempt to save money.
“However, this is a false economy because it increases the risk of potential damage to a vehicle as well as the likely repair costs to rectify it. We offer Winter Inspections from just £12.95, so there is no excuse for motorists to take unnecessary chances.”
To find your nearest Halfords Autocentre, find out more about the Winter Check Service or make a booking online visit www.halfordsautocentres.com
Ends
E: james.dale@halfords.co.uk
James Dale, PR Co-ordinator
T: 01527 513315
E: james.dale@halfords.co.uk
Notes to editors
The £12.95 Winter Inspection comes with a FREE Winter Essentials Pack (worth £10) – which contains de-icer and screenwash concentrate, a de-mist pad, a large gloved heavy duty scraper and Screenies wipes to clean the inside of the windscreen.
Halfords Autocentres Winter Inspection Includes:
Anti-freeze - A check and report on the anti-freeze strength/minimum temperature and top up as required. Cooling system – A check on the condition of the coolant hoses to alert you to possible premature failure. Battery - With more reliance on your electrics, a check to make sure your battery is working properly. Starter and Charging - A check on the operation of the starter motor/charging system. Ancillary Drive Belts – A check that ensures your vehicle's drive belts are in good condition and correct operation of the engine ancillaries. Lights – A check that your lights are in correct working order. Wiper Blades – A check and report on the condition of your wiper blades. Windscreen Washer Additive – We make sure your windscreen washers won't freeze with a top up. Tyres – A check to make sure they're at the right pressure and are in good condition. Air Con – A test of your air con (if you have it) to make sure it's de-misting your screen effectively. Oil – A check and report on your engine's oil condition and level.
For £29.95 Halfords Autocentres offers the above plus an Optional Duxback Glass Treatment (worth £24.95) which helps disperse water and reduces the formation of ice on your windscreen.
About Halfords Autocentres
Halfords Autocentres is a leading independent MOT, car service, repair and tyre garage network. We employ highly trained ATA accredited technicians and use the latest in vehicle diagnostic equipment at over 295 sites – and are expanding monthly - to deliver dealership quality work at affordable prices.
Being independent expert’s means that we are able to service, repair and maintain any make or model of car in line with the manufacturer’s standards, whilst offering a local price match promise and peace of mind in the form of a minimum guarantee of 12 months or 12,000 miles on work carried out. (See website for terms and conditions)
The Halfords Autocentres name may be a recent addition to the Halfords Group, but our heritage spans more than three decades and we serve over 750,000 customers every year - with over 8 out of 10 of them being happy to recommend us to their friends.
