GUEST COLUMN: Stay safe on icy roads, by Andy Oxnard, crew manager at NFRS

The festive season is well and truly over, and that inevitably means that most of us are now back at work, and in turn, back on the roads.

We are also now at a time of year where temperatures appear to be dropping, and we are being told to expect cold snaps that bring with them icy conditions. And as everybody will know, these icy conditions can make roads far more dangerous than normal.

It is for this reason that I am asking you all to be extra careful when out and about on the roads. Here at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service we attend road traffic collisions on a daily basis, and when we attend these incidents we see the devastating consequences and the enormous impact they can have on people’s lives.

This is something we say a lot, and it may seem like we are repeating ourselves, but it is so important that people are careful when driving and that – especially at this time of year – you don’t let ice and bad weather get the better of you.

Simply allowing extra time for journeys, taking it steady and keeping a greater distance between yourself and the vehicle in front, can make a massive difference and help to keep you and your passengers safe. Getting to your destination five minutes later than usual might seem like an inconvenience, but it is a much better option than us having to cut the roof off your car or sustaining serious injuries.

It also helps to make sure your lights, wipers and tyres are all in good condition and your windows are fully cleared before you set off.

Another thing that we ask, whether it be icy or sunny, is that you never let yourself get distracted while driving.