The Highways Agency has published some good advice for getting your car and yourself prepared for the Winter. Their ‘POWERDY’ checklist includes:

• petrol (or diesel) – don’t run out of fuel
• oil – check levels once a month
• water – check radiator and screenwash once a month
• damage – check wipers, lights etc for signs of wear and tear or damage
• electrics – check lights, indicators and controls are working properly
• rubber – are your tyres well inflated, legal, with good tread and free from damage?
• yourself – are you fit to drive? Have you slept well? Are you taking any medication(s) that could make it unsafe for you to drive?

They also cover the essential items you should keep in your car whilst travelling during the Winter season:

• an ice scraper and de-icer
• a torch and spare batteries – or a wind-up torch
• warm clothes and blankets – for you and all passengers
• boots
• first aid kit
• jump leads
• a shovel
• road atlas
• sunglasses (the low winter sun and glare off snow can be dazzling)

There is also more sound advice on the web page so be sure to read the full article and don’t get caught out this Winter!

Make time for winter – GOV.UK.