An urgent concern for motorist’s safety has been raised today after new research reveals a 25% increase in drivers who are unprepared for conditions this winter. Despite one in five admitting they got ‘caught out’ last winter, it seems Brits are failing to decipher between what is important versus what is urgent. Last week’s unexpected heat wave has caused motorists to be even more complacent when getting in gear for imminent winter road conditions, regardless of frost and snow forecast for some parts of the country this weekend.

It would appear failing to tick off simple chores on our ‘to do’ lists has become a wider spread issue for Brits. With the most common excuses being ‘too busy’ or ‘too stressed’ to get everything done, essential tasks left to the last minute are costing us an extra £102 each per year. However simple motoring checks are being recognised as fundamental by drivers yet 47% admit they won’t check their tyres tread before the cold weather actually hits. Given that 21 million motorists are expected to struggle with conditions over the next six months, postponing action is likely to increase our chances of becoming a part of this statistic.

Winter tyres are a mandatory requirement in many of our EU counterparts. Such lax attitudes amongst UK drivers and an overwhelming number of accidents has meant the debate has emerged as to whether the responsibility is down to legislation or consumers themselves. With another winter of harsh conditions ahead and government proposals last week to increase motorway speed limits to 80mph, this ‘leave it till later’ culture needs to be rapidly rectified so that our safety is not jeopordised any more.