Safety pledges for business drivers

As the winter weather sets in, business motorists are being advised to take extra care on the roads and to check weather forecast and driving conditions before they travel.

High-sided vehicles are particularly vulnerable to strong winds and already this year the Highways Agency has issued several amber alerts for lorry drivers in the north of England.

When the weather becomes so severe that journeys would be affected by incidents on the Highway Agency's road network then red alerts are issued.

During a red weather alert, drivers of goods vehicles will be asked to leave the network immediately and find a safe place to park.

When the road is wet, it can take twice as long to stop so it makes sense to slow down when it's raining according to the Highways Agency - which is also advising drivers to plan their journey in advance of setting off or even delaying travelling if the weather becomes severe.

Drivers are also advised to carry warm clothing and an emergency pack, which includes food and water, boots, de-icer, a torch, a spade if snow is forecast and to make sure they have plenty of fuel for their journey.

They should also listen to travel news on their car radio or tune into the agency's traffic radio, which is available on DAB Digital Radio or online at www.trafficradio.org.uk