Motorists throughout the UK will encounter more challenging weather conditions on the roads this week, which could trigger some unfamiliar warning lights on their dashboards. This follows the Met Office issuing additional snow and ice alerts nationwide, with temperatures forecast to plunge well below zero.
Extensive areas of England and Wales, encompassing Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, and Cardiff, are subject to a yellow warning for snow and ice, potentially remaining in effect until 11am on Tuesday, January 6. Furthermore, certain regions of Scotland have been placed under an amber warning for snow, which may cause substantial disruptions to transport networks and public services.
The colder and more severe weather conditions also indicate that road surfaces will probably be more treacherous, heightening the danger to motorists and those on foot. As a general rule, it's recommended to refrain from driving in icy and snowy conditions unless strictly essential.
George Fiddes from Transport Scotland commented: "Particularly cold weather is expected this week which is likely to impact driving conditions in the areas covered by the yellow warning, so our advice to motorists is to plan your journey, leave extra time if needed and drive to the conditions."
As the weather becomes more treacherous, drivers might notice some unusual lights appearing on their dashboard, which could cause worry if they're unsure of their meaning. One such light is the snowflake dashboard warning light, which can often be paired with a road image, depending on the vehicle.
Contrary to many other warning lights that typically indicate a potential issue with your car, the snowflake light is far less alarming, but still significant. Some vehicles will display a snowflake light on the dashboard if the car's sensors detect temperatures around 3C or below.
The primary purpose of this light is to alert the driver to potential hazards on the road due to the colder temperatures. Specifically, it may illuminate around the 3C mark as this is when black ice is likely to form on some roads, potentially reducing tyre grip and increasing the risk of losing control.
Some vehicles may also alter the light colour from amber to red if temperatures plunge below 0C, providing a more severe warning.
It's worth noting that a snowflake dashboard symbol is merely a cautionary indicator alerting motorists to potential hazards they might encounter whilst driving. Therefore, no additional steps are required to dismiss the warning and there will typically be no mechanical issue with the vehicle related to this light.
Nevertheless, it would be prudent to adhere to Highway Code recommendations for driving in wintry and icy weather, as these conditions do heighten the danger to you and fellow motorists. For instance, Rule 231 of the Highway Code advises: "Drive extremely carefully when the roads are icy. Avoid sudden actions as these could cause loss of control."
It further suggests that motorists should travel at a slower speed in as high a gear as possible, whilst only gently accelerating or braking. This is particularly crucial on curved sections of road where losing control becomes more probable.
The guidance also recommends that drivers "check your grip on the road surface when there is snow or ice by choosing a safe place to brake gently. If the steering feels unresponsive this may indicate ice and your vehicle losing its grip on the road."
Further guidance on driving in snowy and icy conditions can be found on the Highway Code website here.