Scots are expected to face some adverse weather conditions this week as a 'danger' warning for snow and ice has been issued by the Met Office.
The forecaster has warned that people could see some disruption to public transport services, as well as untreated roads and pavements being more slippery than normal.
If you have to drive anywhere, it's vital that you take the correct safety precautions in order to avoid accidents, which could be more common when the conditions are poor.
To help out motorists who are concerned about venturing out into the unpredictable weather, experts at Scrap Car Comparison have issued some advice - including a couple of essentials you should always have in your car.
And although one of these might seem unusual, it actually can be vital when it comes to preventing accidents.
According to the specialists, keeping a pair of sunglasses in your glove box even in the winter is crucial if you want to stay safe on the roads.
Dan Gick, managing director at the comparison site, said: "It might seem the wrong weather for sunglasses, but it’s advisable to keep a pair of sunglasses in the glove-box.
"This is because when there’s a significant covering of snow and the sun is out, you could develop snow-blindness – a temporary condition (otherwise known as photokeratitis) that occurs when your eyes have been overexposed to the sun’s UV rays."
Here are a few more of Dan's tips for safe driving in snowy and icy weather.
Change your tyres
It’s worth upgrading to winter tyres or adding snow chains when the conditions change, as they are especially suited to these conditions and help provide more traction when driving in snowy conditions.
Layer up
Make sure you are wearing the appropriate clothing for driving, as whilst snow boots are great for being outside in snowy conditions, they are not suited for driving since the tread depth is so deep it makes feeling the brake incredibly difficult.
Pack an extra layer, such as a hoodie or coat, in case you get stuck on the road for any reason.
Change your driving style
Driving erratically is dangerous anyway but doing so during snowy weather carries even more of a risk.
Harsh braking and quick acceleration can both cause skidding so it’s important to leave longer braking distances, and use slow, progressive movements as much as you can.
Stock up on antifreeze
It’s important to check that your vehicle’s coolant supply is always sufficient. Coolant and antifreeze serve the same purpose – maintaining the temperature of the engine whilst protecting it from corrosion.
Pack an emergency kit
Pack a winter care kit to leave in your car so that you always have the appropriate items available, should you find yourself in an emergency situation.
Be sure to include the following:
- Blanket
- Jump leads
- Warning triangle
- High vis and warm jacket
- Snacks and water
- Boots or wellies
- Snow equipment
- Phone charger/battery pack
- A powerful torch
- First aid kit
- Tow rope
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