Is your car prepared for winter driving?

Spring may be just over a month away, but there is still a chill in the air and Britain's drivers need to stay vigilant while the winter weather continues, potentially causing hazardous conditions on the roads.

Drivers should be checking their cars are in good order and being extra careful when they are out and about at this time of year, but many may be unaware of what kind of preparations they can do to prevent accidents and the need to make expensive claims on their car insurance.

The Highways Agency has provided a handy checklist for those hitting Britain's roads during the winter.

- Anti-freeze
Before taking their vehicle out, motorists should check there is enough anti-freeze in their radiators and top the levels up if they are worried they are running out.

- Windscreen
It is also very important drivers clean their windscreens thoroughly. It is not only ice that can be a problem on glass. The window could also mist up and hinder visibility, putting motorists and their passengers in danger.

Head of Training at the Institute of Advanced Motorists Drive & Survive Simon Elstow recently warned having a dirty windscreen can cause it to become foggy more quickly.

- Headlights
The days are getting longer but many people may still be driving in darkness as winter continues. The Highways Agency recommended checking the bulbs in headlights and other lights are clean and in good condition.

- Battery
What could be worse than finding yourself broken down in the middle of nowhere with a flat battery in the middle of a cold snap? Check your battery is reliable and if it is not, replace it, the Highways Agency stated.

- Tyres
Keeping control of a car in icy weather or heavy wind and rain is hard enough without tyres being worn down or too soft. The Highways Agency urged drivers to pump up their tyres and replace them if the tread has reached the legal limit, which is 1.6mm in depth.

TyreSafe recently published a handy tip: Push a 20p into one of the main grooves on your tyres and see if you can still see the silver outer rim. If you can, the tyres are nearing the limit and need replacing.

Many companies have also urged motorists to use winter tyres during the colder months, as they can grip the road more easily than other types of product.

- Snow and Ice
Before going out on a journey, all snow and ice should be scraped from the car, particularly the windows, number plates and lights, the Highways Agency advised.

- Emergency kit
It's also important to prepare for the possibility of getting stuck, the organisation suggested.

This means taking out some food and a warm drink, a mobile phone, personal medication, an ice scraper and de-icer, a torch with spare batteries, sunglasses in case of glare from the snow, a first aid kit, boots, warm clothes and blankets, jump leads, a road atlas and a shovel.

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