People are being urged ‘not to drive’ as icy and snowy conditions are set to hit Surrey. The county has experienced plummeting temperatures and the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow on Wednesday (January 8).
To help keep people safe Surrey Police has urged the public not to drive unless the journey is essential.
A police spokesperson said: “Please take extra care on the roads today. Take a moment to refresh your knowledge of the Highway Code for icy conditions – stopping distances can be times greater. During icy or snowy weather do not drive unless your journey is essential.”
A yellow warning of snow is in place across Surrey until midnight on Wednesday (January 8) and snow or sleet is forecast to fall across the county from this afternoon. Temperatures are expected to feel as cold as -4C throughout the night and gritters are out in force across the county.
Advice for driving in ice or snow
The Highway Code has rules to ensure safety when driving in the adverse weather conditions which are on the cards for Surrey.
The Highway Code advises that all drivers bring the following with them if they plan on driving in case they get stuck or your vehicle breaks down:
- de-icer and ice scraper
- torch
- warm clothing and blankets
- boots
- first aid kit
- jump leads
- shovel
- warm drink
- emergency food
Additionally, before you set off on your journey, the code says you must check that your visibility from all angles is clear; so it is important to ensure that there is no ice or snow on your windows, lights and number plates. It is also recommended that you check your planned route is clear of delays and that no severe weather is predicted.
Finally, and arguably most crucially – drive extremely carefully when roads are icy. Drive at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible, and accelerate and brake very gently. It is important to take a particular care when driving around bends; as this is when you are most likely to lose control of your vehicle.
For more information on how to drive safely in icy conditions according to the Highway Code, visit the GOV.UK page here.