With the weather turning colder the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is offering its best advice to making sure the cold weather doesn’t catch you unaware. Here the IAM’s director of standards Mark Lewis shares his wisdom with you.

1. Ensure your lights are working and keep a spare set of bulbs handy in the car
2. Check your washer bottle is filled with screenwash and that your windscreen wiper blades are working properly; they should not leave lines or smear the screen
3. Ensure all fluids are at the correct level and have them checked by a mechanic if you are unsure
4. Check the condition of your tyres regularly – the legal minimum for car tyre tread is 1.6 mm but you should consider replacing them before that for safety
5. Always carry a winter driving kit including an ice scraper, de-icer, blanket, torch, shovel, and a fully charged mobile phone

Thinking ahead is the key to winter preparation. Driving in winter brings its unique challenges, leaving earlier to allow more time for ice on both the road and your car means you won’t be rushing in adverse conditions and will have more time to enjoy the drive.

Notes to editors:

1. Mark Lewis is the IAM’s director of standards.
2. The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving and motorcycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 200 local volunteer groups and over 90,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving and motorcycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.

Media contacts:IAM Press Office – 020 8996 9777
press.office@iam.org.uk