Gwent Police are advising motorists to stay at home and and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.
A spokesman for the force said that while main roads are passable with care, many roads are becoming more dangerous with further snowfall and they are expected to become icy later on.
Police have issued the following advice:
- Don’t leave your car running unattended when defrosting it.
- Make sure you have sufficient fuel for your journey. Keep the fuel tank topped up.
- Check weather forecasts. Listen to local and national radio for travel information
- Give yourself extra time for your journey and drive at a constant speed. Accept your journey will take longer and don’t take risks.
- Take a mobile telephone with you and make sure it is fully charged.
- Carry a mobile charger in the car.
- Poor weather conditions mean it can be harder for drivers to see pedestrians and cyclists, so be vigilant. In poor visibility be extra alert for hazards, and allow extra room to slow down and stop
- Wear comfortable shoes, not thick boots, which can be difficult to drive in.
- Keep warm clothing and footwear in the car in case you get stuck or need to get out of the car, and carry a thermos flask and high energy snacks such as chocolate so you can have a hot drink and something to eat.
- Make sure all your car lights are working and you have no failed bulbs. Ensure that dirt, salt and snow is cleared away from light fixtures.
- Always ensure all windows are fully cleared of snow, frost and condensation before setting off on a journey. It is illegal to drive with obscured vision.
- Clear snow from the top of the car as this can fall down and obscure your windscreen while you are driving.
- Keep windscreen washer fluid topped up as windscreens quickly become dirty from traffic spray and salt from the roads.
- If you get stuck stay with your car, but in an emergency if do need to leave it, park it out of the main traffic route, where it won’t cause an obstruction when conditions ease. Leave a contact number on the inside of the windscreen and return to your car at the first opportunity you have.
