Tips for driving safely in wintry conditions

Well the very best way to cope with icy roads is… not to drive on them at all!

Most times however, it is not always possible to stay snuggled up safe and warm by the fire. We have no choice but to drive with with the risk of icy stretches and frost.

Here are a few reminders of how to stay safe when the frost bites.

To prevent skidding you should never ask your car to do more than it can do with the grip available.

In poor weather conditions best to slow down - increase your stopping distance - take extra care approaching bends - be gentle on the steering, the brake and the accelerator.

Your car is more likely to skid when the road is icy or covered in snow.

In such conditions to avoid skidding you should slow right down.

You should also steer and brake very gently. Your stopping distance should also be increased by up to ten times greater than in normal conditions.

Black ice is very dangerous. It is a glaze that forms on surfaces when light freezing rain falls, or because of melting and re-freezing snow, water, or ice on surfaces. It just looks like the pavement or the road. It is clear and hard to see.

When possible, do not drive over ice.

If you find it is unavoidable then shift into a low gear and generally do as little as possible, allowing the car to pass over the ice. Try and keep the steering wheel straight.

If you feel the back end of your car sliding left or right, make a very gentle turn of the steering wheel in the same direction to avoid skidding.

Slow down by de-accelerating if you can, not by slamming on the brakes – just ease off on the gas.

Be safe out there.