Travel: Essex Police release safety advice for drivers as freezing weather is forecast

ROAD conditions can deteriorate fast during the snow and frosts of winter, making driving hazardous.

And with freezing weather expected in the next few days, Adam Pipe, casualty reduction manager for Essex Police, has issued the following advice to motorists:

• Make sure all your car lights are working and you have no failed bulbs. Ensure that dirt, salt and snow is cleared away from light fixtures.

• Always ensure all windows are fully cleared of snow, frost and condensation before setting off on a journey - it is illegal to drive with obscured vision.

• Also clear snow from the top of the car as this can fall down and obscure your windscreen while you are driving.

Keep windscreen washer fluid topped up as windscreens quickly become dirty from traffic spray and salt from the roads.

• Make sure you have sufficient fuel for your journey. Keep the fuel tank topped up.

• Give yourself extra time for your journey and drive at a constant speed. Accept your journey will take longer and don’t take risks.

• Take a mobile telephone with you and make sure it is fully charged. Carry a mobile charger in the car.

• If you get stuck in the snow stay with your car, but in an emergency if you do need to leave it, park it out of the main traffic route, where it won’t cause an obstruction when conditions ease. Leave a contact number on the inside of the windscreen and return to your car at the first opportunity you have.