How To Stay Safe In Your Hire Minibus This Winter

Many of us associate winter with board games, warm jumpers, and mulled wine. Cosying up, spending time with loved ones, and taking advantage of a bit more downtime are all part of the season.

However, winter also has a darker side, and nowhere is this more evident than on our highways.

According to Admiral, a car insurance company, the majority of serious traffic incidents occur between November and February. Furthermore, 23% of British drivers acknowledge having been in an accident during the winter.

No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, there are risks on the roadways during the winter months. However, it’s worth taking extra precautions if you’re accustomed to operating a vehicle and you find yourself behind the wheel of a minibus.

Minibuses are not automobiles. They manage in different ways. There are greater stopping distances. For example, they are less nimble and more challenging to manoeuvre on icy roads or out of a snowdrift.

Tips for stay safe in your hire minibus this winter

There are several things to consider. Don’t worry, though. We’re here to help you stay on course if you’re hiring a minibus this winter. These six suggestions will help you drive safely and have fun.

1. Make a plan

Checking the weather every morning is as normal to Icelanders as putting on new socks. This is due to Iceland’s harsh and frigid winters. Road closures due to climate change are frequent, therefore residents should monitor the weather because failing to do so could leave them stuck or worse.

Here in the UK, we’d be wise to embrace this way of thinking. Although the weather in our area may be milder during the winter, bad weather is bad weather. If everyone paid a little more attention to the weather prediction, we’re confident that the accident rate would drastically decline.

Thus, make sure before you go. Keep an eye out for weather advisories that caution against needless travel. Don’t drive unless you feel comfortable doing so, even if there isn’t a warning.

2. Make plans

Winter driving requires additional supplies, as experienced drivers are aware. The same is true for minibuses.

Ice is our greatest enemy. Therefore, be sure to bring gloves, de-icer, and an ice scraper. The last thing you want is to have to postpone your trip while you wait for the windows to clear, or worse, suffer severe frostbite while attempting to scrape without gloves and using a credit card.

Furthermore, even if breaking down or becoming stranded is unusual, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Because of this, you may also wish to keep these goods hidden in the back:

• A warm blanket
• An emergency medical kit (always helpful)
• A drink and some nibbles in case you have to wait for help for several hours
• A torch (with new batteries)
• You can put some rags underneath your wheels to stop them from skidding.
• If they become stuck, a little shovel to dig the wheels out of the snow

3. Recognise your stopping distance

This is the most important minibus driving tip.

The typical stopping distances for autos are presumably familiar to you. It’s 12 meters at 20 miles per hour. It is 23 meters at 30 miles per hour. It takes 96 meters to stop completely at the speed limit of 70 miles per hour.

Stopping distances might rise tenfold in icy conditions. You can find yourself travelling almost a kilometre before coming to a stop if you’re driving at the speed limit and there is ice on the roadways.

It’s frightening. It’s even more terrifying when you’re operating a minibus.

Because minibuses are heavier than automobiles, you can anticipate longer stopping distances. If you’re carrying half a tonne, it will take a minibus up to 36 percent longer to stop.

Now include ice in the calculation. Oh no.

Avoid becoming another statistic during the winter. Drive cautiously and at a moderate pace. Give yourself plenty of space between your minibus and the car ahead, and apply the brakes carefully to avoid skidding.

4. Prepare for challenging circumstances

You probably know how to select gears when driving in the cold. Although they are significantly more crucial, the regulations for minibuses are the same as those for vehicles. After all, you are responsible for 2.5 tonnes of metal.

First rule: go into second gear. It may be a little more difficult to find the bite, but it’s worth the effort. You want to start as you intend to go on, and it helps avoid wheel spin.

The second rule is to drive in a higher gear than you often do. This helps avoid wheel spin once more. When driving quickly, you definitely don’t want your wheels to lose their grip.

The third rule is to go downward in a low gear. When you need it most, this provides you a bit more traction.

You should have a calm, skid-free trip if you follow these three guidelines. However, knowing what to do pays off in the worst case scenario.

5. Understand how to get back up after a skid

Do not brake or panic if your wheels begin to slide.

Applying the brakes forcefully may seem like the most logical course of action, but it will only lead to ice catastrophe. If you’re attempting to restore control, brakes may make the minibus swerve even more forcefully.

Instead, turn the steering wheel towards the skid, depress the accelerator, and engage the clutch. Put another way, swing the wheel to the right to match the back of your minibus if it is swerving to the right. This helps the wheels regain traction by aligning them with the rotation of the vehicle.

If you’re lucky, you’ll quickly regain control. Oh, phew.

6. Stay on top of repairs

You are already ahead of the game in this regard if you hire a minibus. You can be sure your minibus will be in excellent condition from the time you pick it up because a reputable hire company will regularly inspect and maintain all of its vehicles.

It’s important to check the fundamentals before every significant trip, especially if you’re hiring the minibus for more than a few days, as inclement weather makes mechanical problems extra difficult.

This covers items like lights, washer fluid, and tyre pressure. To ensure a comfortable drive, take a few minutes to check that everything is in its proper place.

Are you trying to find a cheap minibus hire in Essex that also offers excellent service? EE Minibuses is available to assist you. Browse our fleet online or call us at 01708302010 to get started.