As we approach December, the roads in the UK become a lot more prone to snowfall, ice, salt and even wildlife.

But, it’s snowfall where we all have to adapt our driving styles to an extent as it can be very dangerous. Distances become harder to judge, the road surfaces become slippery and there are a lot more accidents due to peoples’ cars lacking in grip.

Just this week, Britain has seen the roads turn into a white blanket of snow, which may look pretty, but it certainly won’t be safe.

We’ve compiled a list of checks you should do to your vehicle before setting off in these wintery driving conditions.

Plan your journey

It’s always handy to plan your route early as having a sat-nav in your car will allow you to work out the best possible route. Let’s not forget, at this time of year, there are road closures and lots of congestion as people use their cars more frequently. Using a sat-nav app can also work out the quickest route, where the traffic is building and even spot potential hazards ahead.

It’s always better to arrive late than never at all, and even though that is a cliche, it couldn’t be more accurate when driving in dangerous driving conditions.

Check your tyres

Always check your tyres before you travel. This is because your car will behave differently in snow conditions and if your car’s rubber is old, damaged or even has limited tread depths, it could be a recipe for disaster.

The legal tread depth requirement in the UK is 1.6mm, but it’s recommended that you get them replaced when they reach 3mm of tread to give you added peace of mind. If you do check your tyres and they aren’t safe, it’s better to get them replaced as soon as possible as good and safe tyres may just save your life.

Keep your phone charged

If you can, carry a phone charger as having your mobile phone with you wherever you go is vital. Never use it when driving, but if you find yourself breaking down or getting into an accident, then the mobile phone will become your best friend as it will allow you to reach out to emergency services or even friends and family members for advice or help. A phone with no charge left in it can be dangerous.

Check the condition of the battery

When temperatures are a lot lower, your car’s battery will take longer to crank the engine over. This is because the cold atmosphere will put more strain on the battery and if the unit fitted in your car is getting low on charge, it may not start the car at all.

If you get your battery checked and it reads a voltage below 10, it’s recommended it needs replacing. All modern car batteries use a 12V system and if any cell fails, that could cause the entire battery to die.

The last thing you would want on an early, freezing cold morning was for your vehicle to not start.

Make sure you don’t run low on fuel

Never run your vehicle too low on fuel as this can not only damage the engine, but the colder weather will mean it will take longer for recovery services to reach you.

A top tip would be to run your car to about half a tank as not only will it cost less to fill up, but it gives you reassurance that you always have enough fuel to get to your destination.

Keep your car topped up with screenwash

Your car will get filthy in the winter months. This is due to the wetter conditions and salt on the roads. But, screenwash is designed to clear your windscreen in an effective manner and it’s also part of the annual MOT check.

If your car hasn’t got enough screenwash fluid in it, it can fail its MOT because in the case the windscreen gets too dirty, a lack of fluid can result in poor frontal visibility which could lead to an accident, and at this time of year, your windscreen needs to be as clear as possible.