PRESS RELEASE

22 October 2014

Safety advice for drivers during darker days: see and be seen, says GEM

ROAD SAFETYorganisation GEM Motoring Assist is encouraging all road users to see and be seen through the coming winter months. Darker days bring poor visibility and higher risk of collisions, simply because it can be harder to spot hazards. However, a combination of straightforward actions can reduce these risks for drivers and those they meet on their journeys.

"Let's start with how well we see," suggests GEM chief executive David Williams MBE. "Research has shown that we can lose 40% of our eyesight over a number of years¹, without even noticing. So booking an eye test is a good way to ensure we can see and react to what's happening around us when we're at the wheel.

"Keeping vehicle lights clean and free of dirt means they'll do their job more effectively, while ensuring your screen wash is topped up will help you gain the best view through your windscreen - particularly important when bad weather reduces visibility. Check wipers, too, as they do a vital job in keeping your windscreen clear and unobstructed," says David Williams.

Other easy measures can make a big difference in maximizing visibility: Removing ice and snow from lights, windows and mirrors is a priority before any journey in cold weather.

• Rain and spray make driving difficult. Always slow down and use dipped headlights.

• Glare from low winter sun can reduce visibility. In some circumstances, especially in the early morning and late afternoon, glare can leave drivers with no forward vision at all. Reflected glare from wet roads can also seriously compromise what we're able to see.

• Don't delay switching on your lights. Even if your view of the road ahead is good, you may be much less visible to other road users, especially if you drive a dark-coloured vehicle.

• Even if your car is fitted with ‘automatic lights' check that they are switched on in daylight fog, heavy rain or snow as the sensors may not operate in such  conditions. Also remember that daytime running lights are only fitted to the front of vehicles making cars difficult to see from the rear in gloomy weather.

"Just about all the information we need as drivers comes from what we see. Therefore, ensuring we see as much as possible will help us to stay safe, and will mean we're doing our bit to keep others around us safe as well."

Follow GEM on Twitter @MotoringAssist for the latest industry news.

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Notes for editors

1 RNIB figures

GEM Motoring Assist provides two levels of recovery service; Recovery EXTRA and Recovery RECLAIM, to suit all needs and pockets. All GEM policies also include free Accident Management, so members are also fully covered in this area. 

GEM provides a unique, comprehensive and competitively-priced Roadside Assistance and Vehicle Recovery Service. GEM has also been voted number one for Breakdown Cover in the 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2008 Auto Express Driver Power Survey, and runners-up in 2012 and 2009. 

GEM Motoring Assist is a trading name of The Guild of Experienced Motorists, established in 1932, as an independent driver-based road safety association. GEM's aim is to improve safety for all road users through the sponsorship and initiation of accident prevention measures throughout the UK and to provide motoring and safety information to its own members. Member benefits include a quarterly magazine, free literature and advice and discounts on insurances and other services. 

Press information: David Williams MBE, Chief Executive of GEM Motoring Assist, is available for comment on 01342-825676 (office) or 07711450560 (mobile).  David Williams was awarded the MBE in 1998 for services to road safety. Alternatively you can emailpress@motoringassist.comfor any further information.