Motorists have been urged to check a number of items to avoid serious breakdowns in winter (Image: Getty)
A motoring expert has that can keep them safe if they need to .
Whilst many Brits dream of having a white , few are prepared to take to the roads if there is and ice which could easily .
To stay safe over winter, Liam Barnes, Manager at the private number plate company , recommended that drivers check a number of things before setting off.
He advised: “If you’re setting off for a long-distance drive during the run-up to Christmas, it’s crucial you’ve done thorough checks on your car to prevent breakdowns and accidents.
“A good acronym to go by is FORCES — you should carry out throughout the winter (especially when there’s ice or snow on the road).”
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Drivers should make sure there is enough pressure in the tyres before lengthy trips (Image: Getty)
According to Top Reg, FORCES is an acronym that features everything a motorist needs to remember in order to stay prepared when travelling or even breaking down over winter.
This includes enough ‘Fuel’ in the tank and ‘Oil’ in the engine, a sufficient amount of ‘Rubber’ on the tyres, ‘Coolant’ in the radiator, that the ‘Electrics’ are all in good working order, and that there is plenty of ‘Screen Wash’ to clear the front and rear windows.
In doing so, drivers are able to spot any small issues before they can develop into a much more serious fault that could strand them at the side of the road.
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Drivers were also urged to make sure that all of the vehicle’s lights are in working order (Image: Getty)
Liam also suggested that that, once drivers have started their journey in snowy weather, it is vital that they keep a legnthy distance from the vehicle ahead in order to give them enough time to stop in an emergency.
He explained: “Impatient drivers stuck in slow-moving traffic on snowy roads can be tempted to drive extremely close to the car in front of them.
“But what they might not realise is that when the roads get snowy and icy your brake stopping distance massively increases, and driving close to the car in front can be extremely dangerous.”
Finally, the motoring expert urged Brits to make sure they keep to a steady speed, particularly when encountering corners and junctions, to avoid losing control.
He continued: “Snow can make it much more difficult to have control over your car, especially when you’re pulling away.
“For that reason, I would recommend pulling away in second rather than first gear. This reduces the chance of spinning the wheels and digging yourself into a rut.”