Icy weather 'to cause 264,000 accidents'

Date: 8/12/2011

It has been predicted that hundreds of thousands of accidents will be caused by icy weather on Britain's roads this year.

Sainsbury's Finance expects extreme weather will lead to a total of 264,000 incidents in 2011, with many people unaware of what to do if they find their vehicle skidding across the tarmac.

Over the past five years, research discovered 1.3 million motorists have been in an accident that occurred as a direct result of travelling in icy conditions.

These led to repair bills worth an average of £1,773.

Head of Sainsbury's Car Insurance Ben Tyte said: "Everyone knows that driving in wintery weather can be hazardous but our study shows that a staggering number of drivers do not know how to handle their vehicles in icy conditions."

Ice is not the only hazard on the roads this winter and a report published by TRL for the Department for Transport recently advised reducing the speed at which cars travel is one of the easiest ways to lower risks to cyclists.

Posted by Sarah Bailey