Brits warned do NOT drive as -10C chill makes roads icy and treacherous

BRITS have been warned NOT to drive as a -10C deep-freeze made road conditions dangerous overnight.

Several motorways have closed due to treacherous conditions, including parts of the M5, M6, and M54.

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A spokesperson for Warwickshire Police told the BBC: “Until the roads are clearer, please ask yourself if your journey warrants putting yourself, your passengers and other road users at risk.”

Gatwick Airport suspended operations briefly due to high levels of snow and ice.

Stansted Airport remains closed at 11pm, while machines battled to clear snow from its runways.

And there’s more to come with forecasters predicting the mercury is set to plunge to -10C in the coming days.

Kent was said to have been hit particularly hard, with the white stuff severely impacting the M2, M20 around junctions 8 and 9, the A21 and A249 and drivers struggling to get through.

Police have also reported an “unusually high number of crashes” as yellow weather warnings remain in place for much of the UK until tomorrow morning.

The Met Office has now extended the alerts – and a snow and ice warning will remain in place until 9am tomorrow.

If travel is necessary, the Met Office has guidance in place for preparation before making the icy drive.

They said: “If you have to make a journey when snow is forecast, make sure you have warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and spade, and let someone know when you expect to arrive and your route.

“Slow down – it can take 10 times longer to stop in snowy or icy conditions, so allow extra room. Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin.

“Manoeuvre gently and avoid harsh braking and acceleration. If you start to skid, gently ease off the accelerator and avoid braking. If braking is necessary, pump the brakes don’t slam them on.

“If you get stuck, stay with your car and tie something brightly coloured to your aerial.”

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