Treacherous driving on Monday night led police to issue travel warnings in parts of the UK following a string of crashes, and with more bad weather on the way, it's understandably a worrying week for drivers.
Winter often brings with it freezing temperatures, but the following few days are expected to be worse than most thanks to 'severe' weather.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the cold is going anywhere anytime soon, as the Met Office warns to expects the poor conditions to last until 9am on Friday. As such, many of us will have to venture outside.
But the good news is there's plenty drivers can do to prepare before hitting the road, even if the conditions are out of their control.
Keen to help, Claims.co.uk have shared their top tips for driving during winter, including what you should do if you hit a patch of black ice.
While the advice should not be nothing new to motorists, it will hopefully prove as a helpful reminder, nonetheless. Drivers need to remember not to hit the breaks, as one of the team's pros explained.
The automotive expert said: "Black ice can be anxiety provoking; if you do hit black ice, avoid slamming on the breaks. Instead, lift your foot off the accelerator, steer straight over the ice, and always ensure your hands are entirely on the wheel."
The recommendation closely echoes advice shared by the RAC, which again reiterates you should avoid reaching for the breaks.
"If you hit a patch of black ice, don't panic. Keep the steering wheel straight and maintain your speed – don't hit the brakes. Use the gears to slow down if necessary, but avoid any sudden movements that could destabilise the car," according to the experts.
They added you should also keep your speed 'well down' and think about your gear selection.
The RAC explains: "A higher gear may be more appropriate to aid grip on packed ice. This helps manage engine power delivery, making it easier to find traction. If it's a manual, you might need to slip the clutch a little to prevent the car from stalling. Many automatics will let you select second gear at a standstill to pull away in."
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