You can find out updates on road salting, traffic and disrupted services on the winter weather pages..

A useful guide containing Winter Driving Advice (pdf, 120kb) (opens in a new window)  offers information so you can prepare for driving during the winter period.

Vehicle condition

It is essential to check your vehicle in winter

• Make sure your battery is fully charged

• Keep the windows, mirrors and lights frost free

• Ensure that tyres have plenty of tread depth and are at the correct pressure

• Ensure lights and wipers are in a good working order

Quick tips

• Showers and rain will wash salt off of the roads which will leave them prone to icing

• Rain, heavy snow and hail reduce visibility. Reduce your speed and use dipped headlights

• If you start to skid, ease off the accelerator but never brake suddenly

• Manoeuvre gently, avoiding harsh braking and acceleration

• Give snow ploughs and gritters plenty of room - be patient, avoid following closely behind

• Use fog-lights if visibility is seriously reduced, but always remember to switch them off when visibility improves

• In fog, we tend to think we are travelling slower than we really are so always check speed

• Do not attempt to cross a flooded road if the water seems too deep

• Remember - test your brakes when you are through a flood before you resume your normal speed

Plan your journey

• Check the gritting network to ensure that the roads you want to travel on are ice free

• Listen to local radio stations for weather warning updates

• If travelling locally check weather forecasts

• Make sure someone knows when you are leaving and when you aim to arrive

• Allow extra time for your journey

• Make sure you are equipped with a mobile phone, warm clothes and in particularly snowy conditions a spade if necessary

How can you prevent an accident?

• Reduce your speed

• Take other road users and pedestrians into great consideration

• Make sure lights are on at all times

• In strong wind conditions be aware of sudden gusts of wind and debris flying onto the road surface