The nights draw in quicker, the weather takes a turn for the worse and before you know it that long journey seems very unappealing. So it's vital to ensure that both you and your car can cope with the extra stresses of winter driving.

It's time to tick off your health checklist, and here's where to start:

• Get your car checked over. Ensure that your battery, brakes, lights, tyres, anti-freeze and wipers are all in first-class working order, and it's a good idea to ensure you carry a spare bulb kit: on the Continent it's compulsory, and it's a sensible safety precaution over here.
• Check your washer bottle is topped up with the correct washer fluid solution; 50/50 concentrate to water as a minimum, stronger - even neat - in very cold conditions. Keep a spare bottle of solution ready mixed in the boot.
• Ensure you have roadside rescue cover and the means to contact it. Check your membership card is in the car or on your person, not at home, and store the emergency number into your phone. It's surprising how many drivers forget to put their membership card in their wallet or purse.
• Staying alert behind the wheel is hugely important in testing driving conditions: don't set out if you are excessively tired, and do eat breakfast before an early start which will help maintain concentration.

Plan your journey

The key here is to know where you are going, how to get there and what you can expect on the way. Ensure friends or colleagues know your destination before you depart.

• Consider if the journey is absolutely necessary and keep to main roads if possible. Ensure the fuel tank is topped up before you leave and allow plenty of time for the journey.
• If it's icy, don't drive off before the windows are clear.
• If possible, put a small fan heater in the footwell for a few minutes before starting the engine: it will clear the windows of ice and warm the interior before you leave.
• Check driving conditions on the route you will be taking on the Highways Agency website - http://www.highways.gov.uk.
• If you have traffic news interaction on your car's audio system, switch it on.
• Stay connected; ensure your mobile phone is fully charged before you set out, and keep a portable charger in the car.
• Keep a towrope, your spare bulb kit, shovel, Wellington boots, spare fuel, hazard-warning triangle and spare tyre (at correct pressure and tread depth) in the boot.
• Keep de-icing equipment, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, working torch and a blanket in the car. It's also worth keeping a bottle of water and some 'emergency' food.

Drive with care

Your car is ready, you're ready and you know where you are going. Now it's all about reading the conditions and driving to suit. And be honest with yourself - are your driving skills up to the conditions?

• Bridges freeze first due to lack of insulation under the road surface, so take extra care.
• Only a fool breaks the two second rule: that may be fine for good weather conditions, but in wet or icy conditions leave more space between you and the vehicle in front.
• If you are going abroad in winter, remember that snow chains and winter tyres are compulsory in some countries, especially in mountainous regions. In any case, winter tyres make an astonishing difference to driving on ice or snow.

Useful contacts

Highways Agency: www.highways.gov.uk
Winter driving tips:
www.rospa.com/roadsafety/advice/driving/winterhazards.htm
Weather forecast: www.bbc.co.uk/weather