A warning has been issued after a number of cars crashed on UK roads amid treacherous conditions in the wake of appalling weather.
Huge swathes of the UK have been placed under a yellow weather warning for several days, which has lead to traffic chaos, school closures and rail cancellations.
In Merseyside, where several crashes were recorded due to ice on the roads, a Land Rover was seen flipped on its side. Merseyside Police confirmed there had been no serious injuries after the vehicle smashed into railing at a crossing and collided with a silver car. The second vehicle sustained heavy damage to the bonnet.
The force shared advice for all UK drivers, warning them to take extra care while travelling, and provided tips for driving in snowy and icy conditions.
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It comes as several parts of the UK are under a yellow weather warning for snow and ice
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Image:
Merseyside Police)
A silver car was involved in the collision
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Image:
Merseyside Police)
- Accelerate gently when moving off
- Instead of using the brake, cycle down gears to use engine braking
- Leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front, especially if you can see the vehicle ahead has snow or ice on the roof
- Try to use a higher gear and avoid braking as much as you can
- Ensure you remove snow and ice of the top of your vehicle as well as windscreens and headlights
- Wear warmer clothing and take time to make sure all windows are de-iced
- Expect delays, stick to main routes and allow extra time for your journey.
Merseyrail activated its cold weather plan this morning, meaning the first trains of the day ran without customers. The train operator said this was to “ensure lines are clear and safe for use.” There are also delays on the M62 and M6 due to snow and ice, reports ECHO.
It comes after the Met Office issued a new warning for “hazardous” ice as temperatures plummet across the UK in what could be the coldest January night in 15 years.
The new yellow warning, issued by the national weather and climate service on Wednesday evening, will remain in place from 12.15am to 10.30am on Thursday. The Met Office said surfaces were left wet and cold following yesterday’s rain and snow, potentially causing dangerous icy conditions on roads.
There is also a risk of icy stretches on some untreated pavements and cycle paths, which could increase the chance of accidents and injuries. The weather warning reads: “Surfaces have been left wet and cold following Wednesday evening’s rain and snow.
“While some surfaces may dry out before they freeze, it is likely that many untreated surfaces may become icy and hazardous overnight into Thursday morning – this will tend to happen sooner in the west, some eastern areas perhaps marginal for freezing.”