Driving Home For Christmas? Stay Safe When Driving This Winter
Driving at Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for getting caught in traffic. Whether you’re visiting long-distance family, popping over to your elderly neighbours, or just need a top up of mince pies, drive safely with our Christmas driving checklist. Stay safe, organised, and happy throughout the festive season to ensure Christmas 2025 is your best yet.
Plan Your Trip
If you're carrying out a long journey this Christmas, plan your trip in advance. Although major roads are likely to be gritted and clear of ice and snow, they’re also more likely to be busy. Getting stuck in three-hour-long traffic on Christmas Eve is sure to dampen anyone’s spirits… If you’re frustrated and rushing, you’re also more likely to be involved in an accident.
Generally, the Friday (or weekend) before Christmas, as well as the two days before and after December 25th, are some of the busiest days for driving. Try and plan your trips around this, and if you do travel on busier days, avoid peak travel times.
Additionally, whenever possible, drive during daylight hours for more road visibility and reduced frost. Make sure to check the weather before setting off, as you don't want to get caught in the snow. This could result in halting your journey if it becomes too dangerous to drive. Consider delaying your journey if conditions are shown to worsen throughout the day.
Check Your Tyres
As temperatures begin to drop, having sufficient grip on the road is very important for the safety of all road users. During the winter months, there is a higher risk of skidding due to heavy rain, ice, and snow, which can also increase your vehicle’s stopping distance. Remember to leave a sensible distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you - cars can emergency stop for many reasons that you’ll miss if you’re following them too closely!
It is recommended to have at least 3mm of tread depth when driving in temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius or on an icy road. Although you must legally have a minimum of 1.6mm tread depth to drive safely and pass your next MOT. To order new tyres for your vehicle, please follow the link below.
Order Tyres
If you live in parts of the UK (e.g. Scotland) that experience heavy snow every year, winter tyres or all-season tyres will be a great option for you. Using more natural rubber in their construction, winter tyres are less affected by cold temperatures, so they’re better at maintaining flexibility and grip.
Take some time this winter to check your tyres’ condition, tread depth, and pressure, as these factors all determine tyre performance. For peace of mind, book in a FREE Car Tyre Check today at your local National Tyres, where one of our trained experts will carry out the essential inspections for you. You’ll receive free advice, and there’s never any pressure on customers to purchase new tyres.
Winter Tyres
Ensure The Car Is Safe To Run
Before setting off on any journey, it is worth checking over a few key areas to ensure road safety. Tyres, engine coolants, and batteries can all lead to a breakdown if not maintained. Therefore, we recommend booking at one of our branches for your next service if you plan to drive this winter. We have three types available: interim, full, and major, depending on when your vehicle was last serviced.
We also offer many completely FREE vehicle checks, including brake, battery, and exhaust checks. Get booked in today for expert approval that you’re safe to travel.
Free Safety Check
For a premium feel and unparalleled reassurance, treat your car to a comprehensive Winter Preparation Service. This 14-point inspection bundles many essential winter checks, as well as an Antifreeze change and advanced Duxback treatment for improved visibility in rain.
Check All Of The Lights On Your Vehicle
Before setting off on any journey, make sure that of your car lights are working correctly. This includes your headlights, beam, fog lights, side lights, running lights, hazards/indicators, rear lights, brake lights and reversing light(s). Ensuring that all of your lights work is not only a legal requirement but also helps you see the road and be visible to other road users.
Our Duxback headlight treatment is available for car headlights to remove oxidation, restore dull glass to its previous shine, and give a new coat of UV protection, all to improve your road visibility. We also offer a headlamp alignment service to keep you legally compliant, visible, and to prevent your vehicle from dazzling other drivers.
Always Have De-Icer And An Ice Scraper
Having a de-icer and ice scraper is crucial for driving at Christmas time. If your windscreen and windows freeze over, these tools will help you clear the ice quickly. You must legally clear your car windows of snow or ice before driving, as it can limit your visibility.
Spraying de-icer on your frozen car windows will help to melt the ice away quickly, whilst a scraper can clear any remaining pieces. Using these winter tools helps you to set off on your journeys quicker, without the delay of waiting for your car to defrost.
Remember, never pour hot water over your windscreen – you could injure yourself or crack the glass. While you’re thinking about your windscreen, consider the condition and performance of your wiper blades. If they struggle to clear your view, or do so unevenly, you may be due a replacement pair.
Battery Health Check
Car batteries can often struggle to start up in cold weather conditions. National offers a FREE battery health check, which we would highly recommend to ensure road safety this winter. To find out more, follow the link below.
Free Battery Check
Don't Drive In A Distracting Costume
Driving in costumes that impact your driving ability could cause an accident. Any costume that impairs your vision or prevents you from using the car's controls could lead to a fine and potentially points on your license. If you're driving home for Christmas, consider bringing your costume with you instead of wearing it while driving.
Similarly, be sure to drive in suitable footwear for full control over your vehicle. Wearing high heels or other restrictive shoes while driving is illegal due to safety concerns. It’s also smart to wear sensible shoes in case you need to get out of your car. Slipping in the snow (whether you’re going into the shops or waiting for your breakdown provider) is never fun!
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With proper preparation, you can drive home for Christmas safely, and enjoy the entire journey. Ensure your car is legal, safe, and organised so that every road user gets to have a Merry Christmas this year. For all of your motoring needs, visit your local national Tyres or explore more online.
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