Slippery roads cause mayhem for drivers in winter – particularly invisible ‘black ice’ that catches drivers unawares and causes serious accidents.

Luckily, Merton Council ordered 2,400 tonnes of salt and has a veritable fleet of five gritters at the ready.

Although they lack inventive names like Doncaster’s David Ploughie and Gritsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Anti-Slip Machiney, the trucks do the job.

Councillor Martin Whelton, cabinet member for regeneration, environment and housing, said: “The team is available around the clock and our gritting team regularly monitors Met Office forecasts to ensure the road conditions are kept safe for drivers and pedestrians.”

The borough’s key routes will be prioritised and the council’s contractor has already been gritting roads and pavements around town centres, train stations and local shops.

A winter maintenance duty officer is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to make decisions on gritting activity based on Met Office forecasts.

Motorists should drive to the conditions to decrease their chance of an accident. 

Keep a longer distance than usual from vehicals in front - it takes 20 times longer than usual to stop on ice and braking suddenly can cause your car to slide.