Chance of snow – drivers warned to take extra care on the roads

With a chance of snow and wintry showers forecast to hit the East Riding in the next two days, as well as high winds, drivers are warned to take extra care on the roads.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s gritting teams have already been out on Wednesday evening (11 January) treating the precautionary road network with rock salt and will continue during today (Thursday 12 January) treating the secondary road network as temperatures turn colder.

The gritting lorries will be out on the roads again later this afternoon to salt the precautionary road network in readiness for the first signs of snow and wintry showers, expected from around 4am to 10am tomorrow (Friday 13 January).

Temperatures will drop below freezing, but there will be much colder conditions and a greater chance of snow in the Wolds area.

The gritting team will be out again in the early hours of Friday re-salting the precautionary road network, and during the day the plan to treat the secondary road network and the busiest footways.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is urging motorists to take extra care of potential slippery road conditions over the next few days.

Mike Featherby, the council’s head of streetscene services, said: “Our winter maintenance team will continue to monitor weather conditions and will deploy our gritting lorries to treat where necessary. We would advise drivers to take extra care, plan their journey in advance and allow extra time for travel.”

The council is issuing the following advice to help residents drive safely during winter conditions:

Driving on snow, ice and slush:
• Drive slowly using the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin.
• Manoeuvre gently, avoid sudden braking or acceleration.
• When slowing down, get into a low gear as early as possible and allow your speed to reduce using the brake pedal gently.
• Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front. Remember, in these conditions it can take 10 times longer to stop than on a dry road.

Driving in winter sun:
• Dazzle from the winter sun is an underestimated hazard. Carry sunglasses to help reduce the glare.

Driving in fog:
• Drive slowly using dipped headlights or fog lights.
• Do not drive too closely to the vehicle in front.
• Do not speed up if the fog suddenly lifts, it drifts rapidly and is often patchy.

In difficult conditions:
• Do not drive unless you absolutely need to.
• Check weather forecasts and travel information.
• If possible, tell someone when you expect to arrive.
• Make sure you are equipped for your journey with warm clothing, food, a torch, a shovel, water, boots, a hazard warning triangle and a fully charged hands free mobile phone.