Highways Agency (National): Highways Agency warns drivers to take extra care as temperatures are set to fall overnight

With exceptionally low temperatures forecast overnight, the Highways Agency is advising drivers to take extra care this evening (24 December) and over the weekend.

The Highways Agency's winter fleet will be out treating the strategic road network by spreading salt but there is still a need to drive with care, even after road surfaces have been treated and are clear of snow.

Drivers should pay particular care where local conditions such as road gradients, bends or overhanging trees mean there may be an increased risk of difficult driving conditions.

We advise road users to be prepared with warm clothing and an emergency pack, which includes food and water, boots, de-icer, a torch, and a shovel in case of snow.

Drivers should take care around salt spreading vehicles and vehicles clearing snow and should only overtake if they can do so safely, without driving on any un-cleared snow. Winter service vehicles are performing essential work to help keep roads open and may be travelling at low speed.

The Highways Agency, which operates and maintains motorways and other strategic roads in England, is working closely with the Met Office to monitor weather conditions. Up-to-date information on road conditions on England's motorways and trunk roads is available on the Agency website at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or by calling 0300 123 5000. For information on weather conditions, visit the Met Office website www.metoffice.gov.uk or listen to local radio.

Highways Agency warns drivers to take extra care as temperatures are set to fall overnight

With exceptionally low temperatures forecast overnight, the Highways Agency is advising drivers to take extra care this evening (24 December) and over the weekend.

The Highways Agency's winter fleet will be out treating the strategic road network by spreading salt but there is still a need to drive with care, even after road surfaces have been treated and are clear of snow.

Drivers should pay particular care where local conditions such as road gradients, bends or overhanging trees mean there may be an increased risk of difficult driving conditions.

We advise road users to be prepared with warm clothing and an emergency pack, which includes food and water, boots, de-icer, a torch, and a shovel in case of snow.

Drivers should take care around salt spreading vehicles and vehicles clearing snow and should only overtake if they can do so safely, without driving on any un-cleared snow. Winter service vehicles are performing essential work to help keep roads open and may be travelling at low speed.

The Highways Agency, which operates and maintains motorways and other strategic roads in England, is working closely with the Met Office to monitor weather conditions. Up-to-date information on road conditions on England's motorways and trunk roads is available on the Agency website at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or by calling 0300 123 5000. For information on weather conditions, visit the Met Office website www.metoffice.gov.uk or listen to local radio.

Notes to Editors
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. It manages, maintains and improves England's motorways and major A roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.

2. Real-time traffic information for England's motorways and major A roads is available:
- From our Traffic Radio service, available on DAB digital radio and the Internet atwww.trafficradio.org.uk. To tune into the DAB service, simply press the "scan" button on your radio. The radio will tune into all available channels and you can select the new service by scrolling through the channels until you reach "Traffic Radio".
- From the Internet at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or www.highways.gov.uk/mobile if using a phone or mobile device. 
Before using any mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency. Make sure it's safe and legal before you call.

3. For more general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000 at any time (Calls to 0845 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute from BT residential landlines. Call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary).

Safe driving in severe weather

* Before you set out, check local and national weather forecasts. Listen to travel bulletins on the radio. Be equipped with warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and spade. 
* Up-to-date information on road conditions on England's motorways and trunk roads is available on the Highways Agency website at www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo or by calling 0300 123 5000. For information on weather conditions, visit the Met Office website www.metoffice.gov.uk or check to local media or the Highways Agency's Traffic Radio service on DAB or www.trafficradio.org.
* It can take ten times longer to stop in icy conditions. Keep your distance. Allow extra room to slow down and stop. Slow down and avoid making any sharp driving movements.
* If the weather becomes severe, don't drive unless you have to - delay your journey until it improves. Give our winter fleet time to get out & do their job.

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Contacts

NDS Enquiries 
Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept 
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk