Warwickshire Police’s winter driving advice

Police officers are advising people to plan journeys and make sure they are carrying a screen scraper and de-icer.

Cars should be checked to make sure they are well-maintained and car batteries must be kept fully charged.

Anti-freeze should be added to the car’s radiator, winter additive should be added to the windscreen washer bottle and mirrors should be kept clean and free from ice and snow.

People should check that their tyres have plenty of tread depth and are maintained at the correct pressure.

In hail, heavy snow and rain, drivers should use dipped headlights and reduce their speed. When roads are icy or slushy, it can take ten times longer to stop, so driving should be slow and extra room should be allowed for slowing down and stopping. If skidding occurs, the driver should ease off the accelerator rather than brake suddenly.

Fog can drift rapidly and is often patchy. In foggy conditions, driving should be very slow and dipped headlights used. Fog-lights can be used in very bad conditions, but drivers should remember to switch them off when visibility improves.

Dazzle from winter sun can also be dangerous so drivers should keep a pair of sunglasses handy and take care around winter maintenance vehicles salting and snow ploughing A safe distance should be maintained behind such vehicles and drivers should not attempt to overtake them.

For more road safety advice, go online.