Increased risk of accidents during cold weather, say RoSPA as Met Office issue weather warning for Rain & Snow

The Met Office say that ‘outbreaks of rain, hill snow and strong winds may bring some disruption to travel during Wednesday’.

And that the public should expect some roads and railways to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services, spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer and some interruption to power supplies and other services possible.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) add that in 2024, 47 people were killed, 734 were seriously injured, and 2,204 were slightly injured in reported road collisions on Great Britain’s roads where the road surface was slippery due to weather conditions.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is urging the public to take extra care yellow warnings are now active for rain and snow in Northern Ireland and southern England — and further alerts for snow and ice expected to affect Wales, the Midlands and the southern Pennines later today - conditions are likely to become increasingly hazardous.

RoSPA is calling on everyone to stay vigilant, plan ahead and take simple steps to reduce the risk of accidents.

They are advising motorists to plan journeys carefully, check vehicles before setting off, clear all snow from windscreens, thoroughly de-ice their vehicle, and adapt driving styles to suit conditions.

They say the key steps include reducing speed, increasing braking distances, and carrying emergency supplies such as warm clothing and a charged mobile phone.

Rebecca Guy, Senior Policy Manager at RoSPA, said: "With the prospect of many people commuting in rain or snow it’s vital to plan ahead and drive cautiously.

"Winter weather demands extra care. By preparing your vehicle and adjusting your driving style, you can help keep yourself and others safe."

Meanwhile the Met Office Northern Ireland say today will be ‘cloudy and windy with rain and hill snow on Wednesday’.

‘Cloudy with outbreaks of rain and hill snow, it says.

‘Some heavy outbreaks through the morning, especially across the south and west, but gradually easing through the afternoon.

‘Strong southeasterly winds, with gales likely around coasts and over hills. Maximum temperature 4 °C’.

And tonight will be ‘mostly cloudy with outbreaks of mainly light rain, but some drier spells, with perhaps breaks in the cloud, especially in west and a frost in places as winds fall light’.

There will be a minimum temperature of 0 °C.

Tomorrow (Thursday) will again be ‘mostly cloudy with some rain in morning, but mainly in east then a drier spell before rain spreads from west in afternoon as winds turn southwest and freshen a little’.

There will be a maximum temperature 6 °C.

And the outlook for Friday to Sunday is: ‘Milder and windier on Friday, heavy rain in morning, turning to showers in afternoon.

‘Rain or showers on Saturday though a drier spell in morning but windy and showery on Sunday’.