![PP Construction Safety logo and link to home page [1]](http://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/wp-content/themes/ppcs960/images/ppcslogo.jpg)
Highways Agency provides useful driver advice on ‘Making Time for Winter’
The Highways Agency (HA) is urging road users to make time for winter and ensure they are ready for severe weather. Roads Minister Mike Penning said:
“The Highways Agency is ready for winter, but the experience of recent winters is that we must all play our part and be prepared. A few very simple steps taken now, such as putting together a severe weather emergency kit for your car, can reduce the risk of being caught out by the weather. Not every journey is essential in severe weather, but if you really must travel in the worst conditions, check your vehicle before you set out; take a severe weather emergency kit; check traffic and weather conditions and always plan your journey.”
A severe weather emergency kit should include the following items – an ice scraper and de-icer, a torch, warm clothes and a blanket, a pair of boots, a first-aid kit, battery jump leads, a spade if it’s likely to snow, food and drink.
Top tips provided for safer driving for work
The HA has a fleet of 500 winter vehicles on stand-by supported by tried and tested winter resilience plans. The salt stock levels have been reveiwed with stocks at 25% more than at the same time in 2010. For more information visit the HA website for tips for safer winter journeys.
Met Office weather forecasters based at the HA National Traffic Operations Centre will provide information on weather conditions across the motorway and trunk road network. Alyson Bedford, Head of Government Business at the Met Office, said:
“We work closely with Highways Agency throughout the year and during the winter period our forecasters work with Highways Agency staff to provide them with the very latest weather forecasts. When making any journey always make sure you check the weather forecast for the latest weather information.”