POLICE are urging people to be more careful on the roads during the winter months, following various car accidents in the Camelford and Bodmin area.

With temperatures dropping, roads are beginning to become slippery and icy, causing more risk when driving during the winter months.

PC Daniel Gooch, from Camelford Police, has issued some advice about keeping safe on the roads in the lead up to Christmas.

PC Gooch said: “Those who live near the A30, particularly on the way to Camelford, might not know that we are in one of the highest parts of Cornwall, and the weather gets a lot colder because of the altitude.

“The A30 also experiences a lot of hail storms, and when cars don’t slow down, when there’s about three inches of hail on the ground, that’s when you get your ten car pile ups, particularly around places like Jamaica Inn.”

PC Gooch explained that it is important for people to be aware of the weather conditions and how it might affect a journey on the roads.

He added: “It’s all about being mindful of the weather conditions in the area, as our weather is a lot different than the rest of the county.”

Regular checks on vehicles will help reduce the risk of a fatal car accident during winter, particularly checking tyres, wind-screen wipers and ensuring there is enough liquid to keep the vehicle running, and anti-freeze to use in the mornings before leaving for work.

Basic checks on a vehicle can ensure that the car is safe to drive, before venturing out on icy roads.

PC Gooch mentioned the ‘fatal four’, which are the main reasons for road traffic accidents, including inappropriate speed, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone or distracting device.

He said: “These are the main factors when it comes to a road accident, and they are the four things that we target drivers on.”