Highways Agency warns of poor driving conditions as snow hits the UK

The Highways Agency is warning drivers to check weather and driving conditions before they set out on journeys tonight and in the morning.Staff at the Agency's National Traffic Control Centre in Birmingham, working alongside experts from the Met Office, are warning that snow showers are likely to affect the east of the country starting this afternoon and becoming widespread overnight.Showers are expected to be heaviest in the south east and across the Pennines, where drifting snow is likely. Snow showers will continue throughout Monday with more persistent and heavier snow spreading north across central and eastern areas during the afternoon and evening.The Highways Agency's national winter fleet of more than 500 salt spreaders, snow ploughs and snow blowers is on standby with salt spreading already underway this weekend with a dip in temperatures.Drivers are advised to make sure they are properly prepared for the conditions.Highways Agency advice to drivers includes:* Before you set out, check local and national weather forecasts. Listen to travel bulletins on the radio. Be equipped with warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and spade.* Up-to-date information on road conditions on England's motorways and trunk roads is available on the Agency website at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo or by calling 08457 504030. For information on weather conditions, visit the Met Office website http://www.metoffice.gov.uk or listen to local radio, or the Highways Agency's Traffic Radio service on DAB or http://www.trafficradio.org.* It can take ten times longer to stop in icy conditions. Keep your distance. Allow extra room to slow down and stop. Slow down and avoid making any sharp driving movements.* If the weather becomes severe, don't drive unless you have to - delay your journey until it improves. Give their winter fleet time to get out and do their job.

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