MOTORISTS have been urged to take extra care while driving in colder temperatures.

Oxfordshire County Council’s fire and rescue service road safety team wants motorists to ensure vehicle windows are completely demisted and that items such as an ice-scraper and a torch are on-board before drivers set off on a journey.

Mick Clarke, Oxfordshire County Council’s fire and rescue service’s road safety manager, said: “I would like to urge drivers to take extra care on cold mornings as there could be ice about which can dramatically change road conditions. It’s also an idea to allow extra time for journeys so drivers do not feel rushed.

“Driving slower allows additional room to slow down and stop – it can take ten times longer to stop on an icy road than a dry road, so it is important people drive to the conditions.”

Stopping distances on untreated, icy roads are ten times more than on dry highways and visibility is dramatically reduced during foggy conditions, which can also make roads wet and slippery.

Mr Clarke also recommends drivers take care going under bridges and as they can be ice-traps, and also, during particularly snowy or icy conditions have a blanket, shovel and wellington boots on board and notify people of their expected arrival time and route.