How to make sure you and your vehicle are prepared for anything, from a cold snap to extreme weather.
Driving in winter can be stressful. The busiest driving hours are in darkness, and the weather can change quickly.
Snow, ice and floods get between you and the road, so how can you make sure both you and your vehicle are ready?
Make sure your car's serviced and in a good state of repair before winter begins, and check your breakdown policy. Is it still valid and up-to-date?
Being able to get your car off the driveway is always a good start, so if you're worried about breaking down before you even leave home, consider adding home start cover to your breakdown policy.
As well as checking you've got the right breakdown cover in place, you'll need to make sure your car's roadworthy - check your tyre tread, brake fluid, electrics, oil and bulbs.
You'll need your lights more than at any other time of the year, so make sure they're working properly. If not, you're risking the safety of you and other drivers and could get pulled over by the police and fined.
If you're experiencing large amounts of snow and driving on smaller roads, consider investing in snow tyres to give your car some extra grip.
Snow tyres may be considered a modification by car insurers, so get in touch with your provider if you're thinking of using them.
Make sure your tyres have at least the legal tread limit - 1.6mm for cars, but at least 3mm is recommended in wet weather - and that they're inflated to the level specified in your car's handbook.
Keep an emergency kit in your car, just in case.
Blankets, a warm coat, reflective jacket and wellington boots will be useful if you find yourself stranded.
Store a torch and first aid kit in your boot throughout the year - a spare set of batteries will help, too.
Keep a supply of high-energy foods like chocolate, crisps and sugary drinks in the car in case you get stuck or held up in traffic due to snow.
If you get caught out in particularly heavy snow, a shovel and rope could get you out of a bind, plus some old carpet or thick cardboard to give traction under wheels. But don't take any risks - if you need assistance contact your breakdown provider or ring the emergency services.
Know your route and check for travel updates before you leave. If possible, stick to major roads which are more likely to have been cleared and gritted.
Turning on radio alerts can help you keep updated while on the move and remove the need to pull over and check your mobile phone.
Is your journey essential? If weather warnings have been issued and the emergency services are advising people to stay at home, you should avoid travelling.
See if your journey can be postponed or delayed, or if you're travelling to work, perhaps you can work from home instead?
You'll need to drive more carefully than normal over the winter, especially during extreme weather. Remember some of these top tips to keep you safe: