Drivers 20% more likely to be in a car accident during the winter months

With temperatures plunging(1) , Insure The Box urges young motorists to take extra care on the roads.

London, 12th January 2017 – With weather conditions this winter set to be more frightful than delightful for motorists, Insure The Box, global pioneers of telematics-based car insurance, is urging young drivers to take extra care in the challenging conditions. This comes as Insure The Box analysis reveals that accidents increase by 20% amongst drivers(2) during the winter months.

Simon Rewell, Road Safety Manager for Insure The Box says: “Driving in winter presents motorists with much more challenging road conditions. The darker, shorter days, coupled with increased chance of ice and snow increases risk for all road users. In addition, clear and sunny winter days often result in strong glare, which can be blinding for road users driving into the sun. Young, inexperienced drivers are particularly vulnerable as hazardous conditions will be a completely new experience. Therefore they, and all drivers, should take extra care to ensure their safety whilst driving this winter as well as considering whether or not it is necessary to drive at all – it really is better to be safe than sorry.”

Around 700,000 motorists pass their practical driving test each year (3) and for many driving in the harsher winter weather conditions will be a first. Insure The Box has therefore, compiled some top tips for safe driving in the winter months.

Insure The Box’s Winter Driving Top Tips Check the weather forecast before driving anywhere; unless the journey is absolutely necessary it could be safer to stay home. Vehicle maintenance is essential. Ensure tyres are in good condition and contain enough air. Ensure that your windscreens, mirrors and lights are clean and clear before starting your journey. Make sure to check the antifreeze in your car is topped up. Drive to the conditions – reduce your speed and keep an appropriate distance from vehicles in front to enable you to manoeuvre should you experience a slide or skid.  Use dipped headlights as visibility is much lower, including during daylight hours if necessary. Avoid harsh braking, accelerating or steering. If you get stuck in snow gently move your vehicle backwards and forwards using the highest gear you can. Keep your vehicle well ventilated – too warm and you will start to feel drowsy which will impact your ability to drive safely. Keep a coat or blanket in the boot of the car along with a shovel and torch just in case you get stuck in bad weather. If you are dazzled by bright sunlight, slow down and if necessary, stop. Keep a spare pair of sunglasses in your car. They can help if you get glare in your eyes, disrupting your vision. You can get more winter driving tips on our Safer Driving blog: https://blog.insurethebox.com/swinging-low-sweet-sunshine/

1. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings/#?tab=map&map=Warnings&zoom=5&lon=- 3.50&lat=55.50&fcTime=1484092800
2. Source: 20% is the average difference in claims frequency per mile between December/January/February and June/July/August 2013-2015
3. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/car-driving-test-data-by-test-centre

Notes to Editors

Insure The Box

Insure The Box Limited launched in June 2010 with its first product; insurethebox, and is the UK’s largest telematics (or black box) insurance provider, now holding over 3 billion miles of driving data and associated claims. As well as insurethebox and drive like a girl (another Insure The Box brand) it also administers other telematics offerings. Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Company of Europe Limited (ANDIE), subsidiary of Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Company Limited and part of the major Japanese insurance group MS&AD Holdings, Inc., acquired the majority stake in Box Innovation Group Limited (which is the 100% owner of Insure The Box) in March 2015. Together they are taking a leading role in the development of technologies that will change the face of motor insurance and the way we view the car.

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