AS the cold weather approaches, a recent survey into attitudes to winter driving has revealed that skidding on ice is the number one concern for motorists in winter.

In a survey of 2000 motorists conducted by breakdown experts Green Flag Motoring Assistance, almost 40 per cent said their worst fear was losing control on an icy road. The second biggest winter worry was being involved in a crash, feared by 13 per cent, followed by the fear of other motorists losing control of their vehicles, a concern for over one-in-ten drivers.

Other issues causing concern to motorists in winter included driving in poor weather conditions, getting stuck in the snow and being caught in thick fog while driving.

Despite this, ten per cent of drivers take no measures at all to prepare themselves for winter journeys.

Spokesman for Green Flag Nigel Charlesworth said: "During the winter, conditions become very difficult for motorists so they need to be aware of ways to adapt their driving skills to suit the more challenging months ahead."

Green Flag offers drivers the following tips to help them adapt their driving skills to meet the increased demands of the winter weather.

In ice and snow:

Keep your speed down and turn slowly, even if the roads have been gritted.

Give more warning than usual to other drivers when turning, stopping or changing lane.

Keep your distance and remember the three second rule - if you pass the same landmarks as the car in front of you within three seconds, you are following too closely.

Pump the brakes slowly and gently if your car does not have antilock brakes - constant pressure can cause them to lock and skid.

Approach corners at a steady speed, in as low a gear as possible.

Don't touch the clutch unless it is absolutely necessary, steer smoothly and avoid braking on bends.

In heavy rain:

Ensure windscreen wiper blades are in good condition with no tears or cracks to maintain good visibility in heavy rain.

A common cause of winter accidents is aquaplaning, when the car loses contact with the road in the wet and becomes difficult to control.

If this happens, drivers are advised to keep movements calm and smooth, allow the vehicle to slow down naturally, and resist the natural urge to slam on the brakes. Try to keep the car in a straight line and ease slowly off the accelerator until the throttle is just slightly open.

In fog:

Use fog lights and avoid hanging on to the taillights of the car in front.

This can give a false sense of security and probably means you are driving too close to the car in front.

Spokesman Nigel Charlesworth explained: "In winter, we often come to the aid of people who have suffered minor accidents. Inappropriate speed, poor driving and lack of experience of driving in adverse conditions are the main culprits, but with a little care there is no reason why drivers shouldn't be able to avoid trouble by changing their driving to suit the conditions."

Meanwhile, Green Flag is supporting a move by the government to encourage motorists to switch off their mobile phones when driving. A survey of more than 700 motorists showed that, despite widespread knowledge of the ban, ten per cent of drivers still admitted to flouting the law.

Recent government research shows that while more motorists are adhering to the law and adopting safe practices to make and receive calls on the road, a hard core of drivers are still willing to use their phones.