Winter driving can be dangerous as it can increase your risk of getting in an accident. However, there are steps you can take to prepare for driving this winter, from knowing the warning signs your car isn’t ready to packing your car with a winter essential driving kit, we’ve looked at how to prepare for driving in colder months.

Extreme weather can cause icy roads or decreased visibility when driving, and ensuring your car is ready to handle cold weather by comparing front, back and four-wheel drive can help you determine whether your car is suitable for driving in winter conditions. For instance, front wheel drive offers better weight distribution, and four-wheel drive offers better traction that can help keep you and passengers safe.

When driving on ice, grip is a necessity so get your tyres regularly checked to ensure they have enough grip. Driving in snow can be intimidating, which is why you should adjust your speed and drive slowly to avoid skidding. Five warning signs your car isn’t ready for winter driving include engine problems, spongy brakes, condensation, unfamiliar knocking sounds and flaring engine revs.

Packing a winter driving essential kit can help give you peace of mind if anything were to happen on the road, and we recommend keeping sturdy footwear, blankets, a first-aid kit, a torch with batteries, jump start cables, an ice scraper and a shovel in your car. If you are in an accident, stop your car in a safe place, turn off your engine, put on your hazard lights and call 999 for assistance.

For more information, check out Waterman’s tips for winter driving.