If you are travelling during winter, always check the forecast first as weather conditions can change very quickly. You should only make essential journeys in severe weather. If you decide that your journey is really necessary, follow the advice below and be prepared.
Drivers
- Plan your journey, and allow more time than you would normally.
- Follow police advice and travel updates in the media and on social media.
- Be prepared – take a spade, blanket, food and a charged mobile phone.
- Have a Plan B – take the bus, walk, or work from home.
- Park safely, leaving enough room for gritters to get through.
Driving in snowy or icy conditions
- Switch on your lights to improve visibility if needed.
- Drive slowly in the highest gear possible.
- Avoid harsh or sudden braking.
- Overtake with care, and remember if you overtake a gritter the road ahead will be untreated and could be more dangerous.
- Watch out for pedestrians walking along the edge of the road instead of on the pavements.
- Remember that temperature sensors in your vehicle give the air temperature, and the road temperature will usually be several degrees lower.
Pedestrians
- Plan your journey – check if the pavements on your usual route are due to be gritted.
- Take your time and allow yourself longer than usual to get to where you are going.
- Wear appropriate clothes and sturdy waterproof footwear with a good grip spiked shoes.
- Have a Plan B – take the bus, work from home.
Cyclists
- Take extra time to plan your journey – if possible travel on main roads which will have been gritted.
- Follow police advice and travel updates in the media and on social media.
- Cycle to conditions.
- Wear hi-visibility, warm clothes and waterproof gloves.
- Put spiked tyres or winter tyres on your bike to improve your grip on the road.
- Have a Plan B – drive, take the bus, walk or work from home.