Yahoo News Drivers face £180 bill before January and will be most at risk 'this week'
Drivers face a £180 bill on Friday or Saturday - as the snow blast returns. WX Charts has forecast fresh snowfall - with drivers, road users and motorists warned after new data showed the number of winter breakdowns recorded on motorways and major A roads in England has risen by 22% in four years.
National Highways said it recorded 68,893 breakdowns on its network between November 2023 and January 2024. There were 56,517 during the same period in 2019/20. Over the past five winters, the most common reasons for breakdowns have been tyre issues (19% of incidents) and loss of power (8% of incidents).
National Highways warned that in snowy and icy conditions, lorries can struggle to drive up steep inclines and become stranded, resulting in road blockages which prevent gritters from spreading salt.
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National Highways uses the acronym Trip to remind drivers to: Top-up fuel, water and oil; Rest every two hours; Inspect tyres and lights; and Prepare by planning for severe weather. Duncan Smith, executive director of operations at National Highways, said: “Preparation is key to staying safe during winter journeys and we’re already playing our part by lifting roadworks on key routes in time for Black Friday deliveries next week, helping logistics companies.
“Across the entire winter season, we have traffic officers, control operators and operations colleagues working around the clock to keep roads accessible, providing a smoother travel experience for all. We’re now asking road users to do their bit too.
“Packing the right essentials and driving cautiously in poor weather can make all the difference. So, if you’re planning to use the roads, check your vehicle, plan ahead and use our Trip guidance to get winter-ready.” The average cost of car recovery in the UK can be £180, according to the RAC.
National Highways has 535 gritters and more than 240,000 tonnes of rock salt in its salt barns.
