UK drivers have been urged to take extra care as they take to the road, as the Met Office has issued yellow warnings for snow and ice across much of the country.
Snowstorms are affecting large parts of the country and temperatures have plummeted to-16C in the Scottish Highlands last night, making it the coldest night of the year so far, according to the Met Office. Drivers are waking up to find their vehicles covered in thick frost, and although it could be tempted to defrost your windscreen and go - there's an essential check you should be making first.
Motoring experts at LeaseCar.uk have warned that car owners should search underneath their car and around their wheel arches to prevent accidentally harming animals.
Drivers are asked to be vigilant and keep an eye out for cats in particular - who could be hiding away from the cold.
A sleeping cat could be seriously injured or even killed if a motor pulls away before they have had a chance to flee.
Each year thousands of cats are killed and injured on UK roads and the experts say many of them may have been sheltering against the cold under vehicles.
With Brits braced for brutal weather in upcoming months, all car owners are being asked to be on the lookout for pets before they get behind the wheel.
It's not only cat-owning motorists who should be on the lookout, as experts warn that pets don't just target their owner's vehicles for shelter.
Hiding underneath cars and vans allows cats to feel protected against cold winds and biting frosts. They can also gain warmth from the vehicle's engine if it has been recently running.
Tim Alcock from LeaseCar.uk said: "No driver wants to be responsible for the death of somebody's beloved pet cat.
"But on these cold mornings, it's important to bear in mind that someone's furry friend may be peacefully slumbering under the car.
"We're asking every driver to spend a couple of minutes checking for any pets that might be lurking around the tyres or under the car.
"If you do find a cat under the car give it a nudge or shoo it away before turning the engine on and gently pulling away.
"It's important for all drivers to be aware of this and not just those who own cats. After all, cats don't just target their owner's cars for a snooze. Any vehicle is fair game to them."
Commenting on the awful consequences of the mistake, Tim added: "Accidentally harming a neighbour's cat could seriously damage relations with the neighbour themselves and could lead to all kinds of bitterness and other issues.
"So it really is worth taking a few minutes each morning to make sure there are no cats under the car. Unlike dogs, it isn't a good idea to let sleeping cats lie."
Experts are also warning against using a 'quick fix' methods for defrosting windscreens – no matter how tempting it might be.
Some people have been using boiling water on frosted windscreens in order to melt the ice quickly, but you should think twice before doing this.
Using piping hot water directly on vehicles as can cause serious damage, and now experts have issued another important thing to remember before setting off in your car on a could, winter morning.
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