Drivers urged to make one check to car before Monday to stop snowy accidents

A motoring expert has urged all drivers thinking about using their car in the coming days to that can help to prevent .

With in various parts of the country, some areas of the UK are set to experience snow during the early stages of next week, running the risk of putting motorists in jeopardy.

To help drivers stay safe, Simon Waye, technical engineer at , recommended that they of their before setting off.

He said: "Tyres with very low tread wear can seriously affect your grip, which is especially dangerous in ice. You can check your thread by using a penny upside down in between the if you can see the top of the Queen's head, the treads are worn and need replacing.

"The legal limit is at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. You may want to consider getting winter or all season tyres, which offer more grip."

The grooves in tyres are vital at helping to sweep away water whilst also providing grip in slippy surfaces such as mud or snow.

By driving in snowy weather with worn tyres, drivers will vastly increase the potential of losing grip with the road, causing significantly longer time to stop in sudden scenarios and the risk of skidding around corners.

Whilst the legal limit for tyre tread depths in the UK currently stands at 1.6mm, many automotive experts recommend that drivers avoid travelling on a set with less than 3mm in snowy weather.

Similarly, drivers should always check their tyre pressures before they get behind the wheel in the snow or particularly cold weather.

Whilst it is important that drivers regularly check the pressures of their tyres throughout the year, it is vital during winter, with a temperature drop of 10 degrees typically causing pressure to decrease by up to 2psi.

This can lead to a number of issues on the road, including worsened fuel economy and braking and a risk of blowouts caused by higher temperatures inside the tyre when travelling at high speed.

Finally, to prepare their car for snowy weather, Simon suggested that drivers take a visit to the petrol station, with cold climates typically leading to heavier fuel consumption.

He added: "Getting stuck in traffic in bad weather increases your fuel consumption so make sure you have enough fuel in your car.

"Also make sure you have warm clothing in case you do have to stop."