Before going on a journey, motorists are advised make sure their vehicle is in good running order, and that they know what to do if they encounter icy stretches on roads.
DVSA’s assistant chief driving examiner Ashley Bateman said: “DVSA’s priorities are to help you through a lifetime of safe driving and to help you keep your vehicle safe to drive.
“Road conditions can suddenly change during the winter, so being well prepared is vital.”
Drivers can prepare by planning their journey, including:
* Checking the weather forecast and road conditions.
* Considering other routes or types of transport.
* Allowing extra time for your journey.
* Ensuring that your vehicle is prepared for the journey.
* Carrying warm clothing, blankets, hot drinks, a torch, a shovel, and suitable footwear.
Drivers should:
* Keep the lights, windows and mirrors clean and free from ice and snow
* Add anti-freeze to the radiator and winter additive to the windscreen washer bottles.
* Make sure wipers and lights are in good working order.
* Check that tyres have plenty of tread depth and are maintained at the correct pressure.
When driving, drivers should:
* Avoid sudden actions as these could cause loss of control.
* Use dipped headlights in poor conditions.
* Keep well back from the road user in front – stopping distances can be ten times greater than on dry roads.
* Drive at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible; accelerate and brake very gently.
* Drive particularly slowly on bends where loss of control is more likely, brake progressively on the straight before you reach a bend.
