Swedish drivers ill-equipped for winter roads
- Only a few have warm clothes and seven out of ten lack a snow shovel
97 per cent of drivers have the warning triangle ready and nine out of ten have an ice scraper. However, many lack other important equipment needed in the car when temperatures drop below freezing, a new study shows. ‘Swedish motorists need to become better preppers, especially in winter ‘, says Henrik Fagrenius, CEO of CTEK, but also points out that there are differences between drivers’ ages.
In a recent survey of over 1,000 drivers from across Sweden, CTEK asked what is in the car to cope with possible immobilisation and incidents. It turns out that only seven per cent have a spare fuel tank and only just over one in three drivers has a tow rope in their luggage to help their fellow road user. First aid kits are available in 70 per cent of vehicles.
Given how exposed we Swedes are to the elements, it may seem strange that so few drivers carry basic items such as a snow shovel (29%) and warm clothing (13%). However, the situation varies depending on which generation is behind the wheel.
- In this particular case, almost 80% of the oldest drivers carry a first aid kit in their car, compared to 57% of those aged 18-35. 35% of the oldest drivers carry a snow shovel, while only 21% of 18–35-year-olds do,’ explains Henrik Fagrenius.
He also says that it is strange that there has been a prepping wave in Sweden for a long time and MSB, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, urges the Swedish people to stockpile food and water at home, while the vehicles we travel in often lack the necessary equipment to handle common situations in traffic.
- In winter, the consequences of forgetting the spare canister at home are all the greater. And surely more than 11% of vehicles should carry a portable battery charger? ‘Swedish drivers need to look after the whole car, including the equipment needed to cope with emergencies,’ says Henrik Fagrenius.
The survey also shows that Swedes have limited knowledge of how batteries and maintenance charging work, which is important to avoid immobilisation. For example, only half know how trickle charging works and most are unsure about the risks of using jumper cables in modern cars.
- Our study shows that one in five drivers don't even know how to charge the battery in their car and almost half don't realise that the battery discharges even in good weather if the car is left standing. However, most people seem to know that it is easier to discharge the battery when it is cold,’ concludes Henrik Fagrenius, CEO of CTEK.
About the survey
The survey was conducted by Norstat and included 1,054 drivers aged 18 and over throughout the country. The responses were collected during 4-10 September 2024. CTEK is a technology company specialising in charging traditional car batteries and electric cars.