Snow and ice expected to make driving difficult tonight
Monday, 14th January 2013.
Snow falling across the area is expected to continue through the rush hour and into this evening.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for the East of England and Suffolk Police and Suffolk County Council have warned motorists to prepare for difficult journeys home tonight.
The counil has advised drivers to leave additional time for journeys and take extra care.
Gritting teams and community volunteers have been busily preparing for freezing temperatures. 45 gritters have been sent out to tackle around 3,300km of Suffolk's roads and ensure that a layer of salt is on the county's roads ahead of any snow falling.
Cllr Guy McGregor, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for roads, transport and planning said; “I really can't stress enough how important it is for those hoping to travel across the county this afternoon to plan ahead and leave extra time for their journeys.
"Our gritters will be out to deal with the snow, which is expected to be falling during rush hour.
"This can make it difficult for our gritters to move around and deal with the falling snow easily. It is imperative that motorists do all they can to regularly check the weather forecast, drive to the conditions and stay safe on the county's roads this afternoon."
As temperatures in the county continue to drop ice is expected to be a problem overnight as well as snow.
Suffolk police have advised drivers to take the following precautions to ensure that their journeys remains safe:
· Make sure all your car lights are working and you have no failed bulbs. Ensure that dirt, salt and snow is cleared away from light fixtures;
· Always ensure all windows are fully cleared of snow, frost and condensation before setting off on a journey - it is illegal to drive with obscured vision;
· Clear snow from the top of your car as this can fall down and obscure your windscreen while you are driving;
· Keep windscreen washer fluid topped up as windscreens quickly become dirty from traffic spray and salt from the roads;
· Make sure you have sufficient fuel for your journey. Keep the fuel tank topped up;
· Give yourself extra time for your journey and drive at a sensible speed. Leave appropriate distances between yourself and other road users. Accept your journey will take longer and don't take risks;
· Take a mobile telephone with you and make sure it is fully charged. Carry a mobile charger in the car;
· If you get stuck in the snow stay with your car, but in an emergency if you do need to leave it, park it out of main traffic routes, where it won't cause an obstruction when conditions ease. Leave a contact number on the inside of the windscreen and return to your car at the first opportunity you have.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for the East of England and Suffolk Police and Suffolk County Council have warned motorists to prepare for difficult journeys home tonight.
The counil has advised drivers to leave additional time for journeys and take extra care.
Gritting teams and community volunteers have been busily preparing for freezing temperatures. 45 gritters have been sent out to tackle around 3,300km of Suffolk's roads and ensure that a layer of salt is on the county's roads ahead of any snow falling.
Cllr Guy McGregor, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for roads, transport and planning said; “I really can't stress enough how important it is for those hoping to travel across the county this afternoon to plan ahead and leave extra time for their journeys.
"Our gritters will be out to deal with the snow, which is expected to be falling during rush hour.
"This can make it difficult for our gritters to move around and deal with the falling snow easily. It is imperative that motorists do all they can to regularly check the weather forecast, drive to the conditions and stay safe on the county's roads this afternoon."
As temperatures in the county continue to drop ice is expected to be a problem overnight as well as snow.
Suffolk police have advised drivers to take the following precautions to ensure that their journeys remains safe:
· Make sure all your car lights are working and you have no failed bulbs. Ensure that dirt, salt and snow is cleared away from light fixtures;
· Always ensure all windows are fully cleared of snow, frost and condensation before setting off on a journey - it is illegal to drive with obscured vision;
· Clear snow from the top of your car as this can fall down and obscure your windscreen while you are driving;
· Keep windscreen washer fluid topped up as windscreens quickly become dirty from traffic spray and salt from the roads;
· Make sure you have sufficient fuel for your journey. Keep the fuel tank topped up;
· Give yourself extra time for your journey and drive at a sensible speed. Leave appropriate distances between yourself and other road users. Accept your journey will take longer and don't take risks;
· Take a mobile telephone with you and make sure it is fully charged. Carry a mobile charger in the car;
· If you get stuck in the snow stay with your car, but in an emergency if you do need to leave it, park it out of main traffic routes, where it won't cause an obstruction when conditions ease. Leave a contact number on the inside of the windscreen and return to your car at the first opportunity you have.
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