Eleven tips for what you should have in your car in case you get stuck in icy weather as Met Office releases ice warning

DRIVERS should be on high alert after the Met Office released a travel warning for snow and ice across the UK.

Freezing temperatures are set to batter the nation with fears of more road crashes growing.

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Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice in Scotland have been issued by the Met Office as well as parts of northern and western England.

And the weather agency has warned that there could be heavy disruption to travel services on the roads and rail as a result.

Here are eleven top items RAC experts say you should have in your car in case you get stuck in icy weather.

Ice scraper and de-icer

The Met Office stress that an ice scraper and a de-icer are basic items but are winter must-haves nonetheless.

Don’t forget it is a legal requirement to keep your front and rear windscreen clear of snow and ice before driving.

In-car phone charger

Motorists should have an in-car phone charger to boost their battery when out and about.

If you’re on the motorway and have an accident, you’ll need to locate the nearest emergency phone.

But on quieter roads you may need to walk to the nearest house or sitting tight and waiting for a passing motorist to stop and help.

Warm clothes and blankets

The RAC advises drivers to have some warm clothes to wrap up in case of a breakdown.

A big coat, gloves, a spare jumper, hat and gloves should do the job

Torch and atlas

A phone light won’t really give you visibility if you’re stuck by the side of country road in winter.

A large torch with spare batteries or a wind-up torch which doesn’t require battery power is essential for your vehicle.

It’s worth having a paper road atlas in case of diversions or getting lost.

High-visibility clothing

On the subject of clothing, if you need to leave the vehicle in the dark, it’s crucial that you can be seen by other motorists.

Jump leads

Flat or dead batteries can happen to any motor but in cold weather such problems are far more likely to occur.

You should always have a set of jump start cables or jump leads handy in freezing conditions.

Empty fuel can

You could find yourself without fuel after using more than you planned in icy weather.

If you find yourself without fuel, it’s essential to have an empty fuel can available.

Food and drink

When setting off on a journey in icy conditions you should take some food and drink provisions.

Hot drinks in a flask are also a good idea at this time of year.

Shovel

Unless the weather is very snowy you shouldn’t usually find deep snow on treated roads.

However, if you’re driving on smaller roads or there is a snowstorm or blizzard you may be surprised and a shovel could prove invaluable.

Sunglasses

Though this might seem more like a part of a summer toolkit, the winter sun can seriously affect your visibility while driving.

It can create a glare which makes it difficult to see the road.

Warning triangles

Icy weather can cause accidents and a warning triangle is used to warn other motorists that your vehicle has broken down.

Ideally you need two – one to position in front of the car and the second at the rear.

You may be surprised how far away they should be placed – the signs should be at least 45 metres away from the vehicle.