The London Daily News

Travel Desk

Londoner's are being warned to be pro-active and take precautions when driving with Sainsbury's issuing a number of tips.

Drivers should check local weather forecasts before making journeys and if weather conditions are treacherous, avoid driving unless the journey is essential.

Check your battery (make sure you check your car manual before you do this), monitor your oil, water and brake fluid levels on a regular basis and make sure your car has a winter service.

Check tyre condition for both pressure and legal tread depth - the current minimum legal tread depth for cars is 1.6mm

Make sure you de-ice all of your windows before driving and that you have antifreeze in your car use your headlights in rain or snow – remember to ensure your lights are clean so that you can see and also be seen, and don’t drive too close to the vehicle in front of you, allowing more time and distance to brake and accelerateWhere possible use major routes, which may have been gritted/salted. 

Also useful is to take a mobile phone if you have one - remember to ensure the battery is fully charged but don't use it whilst driving unless you have a hands-free kit.

Make sure you have plenty of warm clothing / blankets in your car, in addition to food and water, in the event of the weather worsening and you having to stay in your vehicle for a period of time.