Although the worst of it may have passed, drivers are being urged to stay aware of wintry conditions. Car finance news included stories of drivers ignoring winter motoring advice and increasing their risk of accidents . The study was conducted by Sainsburys, who offer car insurance and personal loans for vehicle finance .

Sainsbury’s Finance suggested that approximately a third of UK motorists leave home without looking at the weather forecast. Furthemore, some 27% of drivers embark without entirely clearing their windscreens of frost. The result is some 800,000 accidents due to hazardous conditions.

Car insurance manager at Sainsbury’s, Ben Tyte, reportedly commented: UK motorists have a typically stoic approach to driving in wintry conditions - and if they start to become complacent and think the worst weather is behind them they could increase their chances of having an accident .