Police Call: Steps help drivers stay safe in winter

And given more snow and rain is forecast this week, it’s helpful to think about your route and also how you drive to the conditions.

Choosing a safe route during the daily commute can make a difference to congestion and journey time.

If you know a particular route is prone to flooding choose an alternative road and stay up to date with travel advice.

Flooded roads can lead to some vehicles aquaplaning; reducing speed helps and maintaining a suitable gap between your vehicle and the one in front gives you time to react to hazards on the road.

It can also be useful to keep your headlights on when driving in winter to increase visibility during daytime hours.

Have your vehicle checked and make sure your tyres are legal and they are at the correct pressure.

Another common fault is windscreen wipers not clearing the screen effectively. Make sure your wipers are changed regularly and that washer fluid is topped up.

Winter driving is difficult but a few practical steps can make all the difference.