As temperatures plummet across the UK, motorists may notice an unfamiliar warning light on their dashboard: the snowflake symbol. This light, often accompanied by a road image, is triggered when the car's sensors detect temperatures around 3°C or below. Its purpose is to alert drivers to potential hazards such as black ice, which can reduce tyre grip and increase the risk of losing control.
The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for snow and ice across large parts of England and Wales, including Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, and Cardiff, until 11am on Tuesday, January 6. Scotland is under an amber warning for snow, which may cause significant disruption to transport and public services. Drivers are advised to avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary.
George Fiddes from Transport Scotland advised: "Particularly cold weather is expected this week which is likely to impact driving conditions... so our advice to motorists is to plan your journey, leave extra time if needed and drive to the conditions."
The snowflake light is a cautionary indicator and does not signal a mechanical issue with the vehicle. Some cars may change the light colour from amber to red if temperatures fall below 0°C. Drivers are reminded to follow Highway Code Rule 231, which recommends driving extremely carefully on icy roads, avoiding sudden actions, and using a higher gear with gentle acceleration and braking.
