Winter driving tips – brought to you by Your Cover, Car insurance from Allianz

There were enough accidents and abandoned cars before Christmas and most of us are still de-icing our cars first thing in the morning - snow still blanketed lots of Scotland last week and there could be more to come. Getting around is a pain while the roads are in a terrible state so we've got some hints and tips to help you travel safe while driving this season.

There are things we can all do to make sure we're prepared and safe when we travel this winter - the most important being to ensure your car is regularly serviced and checked before setting out. The Highway Agency recommends that you:

• * Ensure your headlights are clean and check the bulbs
• * Check and replace the anti-freeze in the radiator
• * Make sure your windscreen is clean
• * Get the battery replaced if it's not reliable
• * Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated and replace them if the tread has reached the legal minimum.

So the car's ready - are you? Gather a few items and keep them in your car. For a comprehensive list, click here, but to get you started, how about making sure you've got the essentials:

• * Ice scraper and de-icer
• * Torch (and spare batteries!)
• * Warm clothes and a blanket
• * Sturdy shoes
• * Jump leads

For a safer journey, adapt your driving in bad weather. Even after roads have been treated, driving conditions may remain challenging. It's also advisable to slow down on corners where the risk of losing control is at its greatest. For more information about driving in severe weather, visit the Highway Agency.

Finally, always check for weather forecasts and warnings before travelling, visit the Met Office.

To find out more about Your Cover, click here