Drivers in Leicestershire can get first hand advice on driving in severe weather next week from highways experts.

Highways Agency staff, including colleagues from its area 11 Managing Agent Contractor Optima and traffic officers will be available between 10am and 3pm on Wednesday December 12 at the southbound section of Leicester Forest East motorway service area to talk to motorists.

The event will give advice to drivers about being prepared when travelling during winter, including how to plan their journey, what items to carry in case of bad weather, the checks they should do before setting off, and how to adjust their driving in fog, snow, rain and wind.

Reflective items, ice scrapers and road atlases will also be available free of charge.


Iftikhar Mir, Area Performance Manager for the Highways Agency in Leicestershire, said: "Latest statistics show that 53 per cent of people would carry on with a journey regardless of a severe weather warning, so we have launched a campaign giving advice on Safe Driving in Severe Weather.

"The British winter is not just about ice and snow but also heavy rain, strong wind and fog so we are holding this event to ensure drivers are ready for winter and can reach their destination safely."

Richard Hancox, Winter Maintenance Manager for Area 11, added: "Every year we see motorists being caught out in severe weather so want to ensure people take heed of weather warnings - if the Met Office issue a weather warning and advise people to only travel if necessary, there are good reasons for doing this."

Drivers are being encouraged to plan their journeys using information services like the Highways Agency website and the new Traffic Radio service which is available on the web and DAB digital radio.

The Highways Agency has its fleet of winter service vehicles on stand-by to keep roads free from ice and snow and its traffic officers will be patrolling the motorways to help drivers. They work with the Police to clear incidents as quickly as possible.

(GK/JM)