As more safe winter driving tips emerge from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), car insurance customers in Northern Ireland and the wider UK have revealed that skidding on ice is their main worry when it comes to hitting the road in freezing conditions.

The IAB's motoring experts issued their advice in the wake of snow and ice warnings for the weeks ahead, with most of Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK set for a prolonged festive cold snap.

Peter Rodger, IAM chief examiner, recommends getting your speed right when you get behind the wheel during a snowy spell: "Not too fast so that you risk losing control, but not so slow that you risk losing momentum when you need it – and brake, steer and accelerate as smoothly as possible."

He continues: "Start gently from stationary, avoiding high revs. If you get yourself into a skid, the main thing to remember is to take your foot off the accelerator and steer, never use the brake."

Other winter driving reminders for Northern Ireland car insurance customers from the IAM include planning journeys around busier roads as they're more likely to have been gritted.