I have a story that might be of interest to you. Independent garage scheme Trust My Garage has released an article full of advice for older drivers this winter. It’s a really useful piece that I’m sure your readers will appreciate, especially with the dangerous driving conditions that come with winter.

Kind regards,

Andrew
Bridge PR & Media Services  

PRESS RELEASE

Release date: 11th November 2013

Older drivers told ‘Stay WARM this winter' to save money and lives

Older drivers can save money and lives by learning how to keep their cars WARM this winter. Checking wipers, antifreeze, rubber and carrying out general car maintenance can keep cars on the road in the most challenging winter conditions and keep the risk of repair costs low.

That's the message from nationwide independent garage scheme Trust My Garage as the UK braces itself for one of the worst winters on record.

Persistent cold snaps, heavy snowfall and extreme cold is predicted for the UK until the end of the year but elderly drivers can stay safe on the road in torrid weather conditions by carrying out just a few simple checks on their vehicles.

There are over four million drivers on Britain's roads aged over 70 and as weather conditions deteriorate, they often find it more difficult to negotiate multi-lane junctions and merging traffic, risking damage to their cars, bank balances and ultimately, themselves. If their cars are not roadworthy to begin with, older drivers are increasing the risk of an accident on the road. Recent figures from the Office of National Statistics show that there were 10,974 accidents nationwide in 2011, involving drivers over the age of 70.

According to Trust My Garage, if a vehicle is regularly serviced and maintained at a trusted independent garage, it gives the driver peace of mind, especially when driving in potentially difficult and dangerous weather conditions. This will help to reduce the risk of accidents. But older drivers can also carry out some of the basic maintenance checks themselves. A simple way of remembering what checks older drivers should be carrying out at this time of the year is the acronym WARM. Terry Gibson from Trust My Garage explains further.

"WARM is a very simple acronym that we have created to help drivers remember which maintenance checks they should be carrying out to keep their cars safe for winter driving conditions. It stands for wipers, antifreeze, rubber and maintenance. By carrying out these simple checks themselves, older drivers can not only make sure their vehicle is fit for the road but they can save money by reducing the risk of having to pay for costly repair work when their poorly maintained car causes an operational fault. There is absolutely no substitute for regular servicing, but doing you own checks will help prolong the life and safety of your car."

Remembering the acronym WARM and what it stands for could be the key to increasing safety records on Britain's roads, particularly among older drivers. Wipers should be kept clear of dirt and debris and should be checked once a week. Blades can easily become worn and if used frequently, can be damaged by debris at the edge of the wiper. Coolant levels should be regularly checked. If this has ever been topped up with plain water, it will have become diluted. Drivers should check the water cooler reservoir every week to ensure the liquid inside is at maximum level. If it begins to drop there could be a leak in the system which can lead to serious damage.

Rubber is another part of a vehicle to check in the WARM acronym and stands for tyres. Tyres need to have the right tread depth and inflation to perform safely and efficiently. Over or under inflation can affect steering and braking while tyres that do not have the minimum 1.6mm tread might struggle on wet and slippery roads.

Finally, regular maintenance can keep elderly drivers safe on Britain's roads and help them save money by keeping the risk of repair costs low. Terry Gibson concludes: "Cars are expensive pieces of equipment that most of us rely on daily, so it doesn't make sense to neglect their maintenance. A few basic checks every week and a regular service at a trusted garage means that your car, whether an old banger or a top of the range sports car, can serve you for a good few miles yet and keep you safe when winter conditions become difficult to navigate."

-ENDS-