Cars snow good on the roads
Whilst children built snowmen and teens threw snowballs, adults were left with not such a magical and tranquil scene.
For Monday 21st of December 2009 could have been the worst day of the year for car accidents and accident claims, as blizzards stormed the country.
As at 17.30, the AA claims office in Cardiff had received over 500 claims, almost twice as many claims as would be expected on the whole of a normal winter Monday.
However, the busiest day of this year was actually so far the 2nd February, when the last widespread snowflakes dropped. Then, just over 800 claims were taken.
According to broker, the “phone hasn't stopped ringing and we're going absolutely flat-out, claim volumes increasing as the evening sets in as customers come to grief in the arctic conditions.”
Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, says: “Fortunately, most accidents are at a relatively slow speed so we're not getting reports of injuries. But an accident is always distressing and on ice can be very frightening.
“Our role first and foremost is to offer help, advice and a sympathetic ear - and help them decide on the next best course of action. Our roadside patrols are also reporting their busiest day for years, with over 16,000 calls taken by 3pm today.”
On one day alone this month, the AA witnessed snow and ice claims for 2 accidents caused by ice and snow flying off lorries, 6 cars failed to stop at junctions, hitting other cars due to wintery conditions, 7 cars hit kerbs so hard that serious damage was caused - including one whose ‘front wheel fell off', 9 cars ended up in a ditch and two others bouncing out of the ditch and going on to hit something else (total 11).
In addition, amazingly there were claims for 14 hit parked cars, in two cases hitting several parked cars and 29 hit other objects including lamp posts, telegraph poles, bollards, barriers, fences, hedges, walls, buildings, a skip and a telephone box.
Car safety in Britain
With hundreds of car accidents occurring daily this December, road safety groups have urged motorists to not become a victim of dangerous driving, but instead plan a safe route if they need to leave their home.
The ROSPA is therefore encouraging drivers to warm up their road skills before setting out for their Christmas journeys this week.
The safety charity has a winter driving factsheet available online which focuses on a range of weather issues and problems motorists need to think about, such as the winter sun, ice, snow and fog.
Drivers about to embark on a long road trip have also been advised to take a look at their Safer Journey Planner, which is a factsheet on long distances.
Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: “Safer winter driving is about good preparation - making sure that you are in a good state to drive, that your vehicle is in a good condition and that you’ve planned your journey.
“As well as understanding how the weather can affect driving conditions, it’s also important that drivers are mindful of the danger of getting behind the wheel when they are tired. Tired drivers are much more likely to have an accident, and the crash is likely to be severe because a drowsy or sleeping driver does not usually brake or swerve before the impact.
“Many people will be travelling long distances this Christmas, so we encourage them to plan their journeys in advance.”
Drivers have been reminded to check that their lights are clean and working and to plan if they get stuck in the snow, for example taking a blanket and a mobile phone to call for assistance.
Updated on 22/12/2009