Cornwall is set for more bitterly cold conditions with ice and snow predicted in many parts over the weekend of Friday 24 and Saturday 25 February 2006. For up to date weather forecasts please tune into BBC Radio Cornwall. You can listen to the radio station online by clicking on our 'listen live' option on the right hand side of this page. The winter weather is likely to highlight many motorists' lack of knowledge of how to drive in icy conditions, says motoring organisation RAC. The company's patrols attend to a third more than the usual number of vehicles needing to be recovered following an accident in the winter, many of which could have been prevented if motorists had kept their speed down and increased the distance between themselves and the vehicle in front.
 | | Snow on a car in Carn Brea 2004. |
"It can take more than ten times longer to stop in icy conditions," says Paul Oakley from the RAC. "With many motorists travelling too fast for the road conditions, collisions are inevitable." When sub-zero temperatures are forecast and ice or black ice is inevitable, motorists should: Slow down, steer gently and avoid harsh turns, braking or acceleration. Keep a safe distance between themselves and other vehicles. Look well ahead to anticipate problems. When pulling away, use second gear if possible to avoid wheel spin.
 | | Winter on Bodmin Moor |
When braking, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allowing the speed to fall, and use the brake pedal gently. If in a skid, turn the steering into the skid, easing off the accelerator but not braking suddenly. When cornering, allow the speed to reduce well before bends and corners by easing off the accelerator. Try to avoid using the accelerator in rounding a corner as it may cause wheel spin and result in a skid. When encountering black ice - which though not visible can be detected because the steering will feel light and/or the noise created by the tyres on the road will cease - reduce speed by easing off the accelerator rather than braking.
 | | Snowy roads in Perranwell 2004 |
The most two most common breakdowns RAC patrols attended to last winter were flat or non-serviceable batteries and punctured tyres. The organisation advises motorists to get their car battery checked out. Problems starting the engine might result from an electrical fault, or it might be time to replace the battery. The condition of the tyres should be checked for correct pressure and legal tread depth. The greater the depth, the more efficient the tyre is in wet weather and icy conditions. Motorists should also remember to check the spare is of legal tread-depth and properly inflated. Failure to do so could result in being stranded and needing to call on expert help. | 
