Louise Marritt, Road Safety team leader at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Winter weather can make the roads hazardous and as temperatures start to fall the risk of having a collision due to ice and snow increases. Some small preparations before setting out could save you from problems on the road.

“It may sound obvious but make sure you de-ice your windows fully before starting off and check your car has antifreeze and lots of screen wash. Give yourself a bit of extra time for your journey and, in ice and snow, drive more slowly than usual keeping your distance from the vehicle in front, if they brake sharply you will have more time to react,” Louise added.

Here are a few tips to help you be prepared for bad weather:

*Check your local weather forecast before you travel and plan your journey accordingly

*Check all exterior lights are working correctly

*Check there is sufficient tread on your tyres – worn tyres won’t hold the road well in wet conditions

*Make sure your windscreen wipers are in good working order and your screen wash is full

*Manoeuvre gently, avoiding harsh braking or acceleration

*Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin, if you start to skid, ease off the accelerator but do not brake suddenly.

*Avoid overtaking (unless absolutely necessary)

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