MOTORISTS are being urged to take care on the county’s roads today after several drivers skidded out of control as conditions turned treacherous.

There were three separate incidents along the A4440 Swineherd Way in Worcester between 8am and 8.30am yesterday, and an accident on the B4204 between Lower Broadheath and Martley at about the same time.

And with conditions expected to be similar this morning, with temperatures plummeting well below freezing overnight, road users are urged to take extra care.

Inspector Phil Worthington, head of south Worcestershire’s vehicle response unit, said: “This week there has been an increase in road traffic collisions in the area and if motorists had acted on simple and commonsense advice, some of them could have been avoided.

“It can take 10 times longer for a car to stop in icy conditions than on a dry road.

“Motorists should drive slowly and allow extra room and time to slow down and stop.”

The incidents in Worcester yesterday all involved single vehicles skidding off the road and into hedges or trees.

There were no serious injuries.

The driver of a silver Ford Ka lost control in the northbound carriageway of the A4440 and ploughed into a row of trees, which caused damage to the front of his vehicle.

The driver, who did not wish to be named, said he slowed down when he saw the aftermath of an accident but lost traction and skidded off the road.

On the opposite carriageway a red Corsa came to rest against the central reservation crash barriers following an unconnected accident.

Some motorists contacted your Worcester News to complain that the A4440 had not been gritted properly.

But a spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said all primary and secondary roads, including A and B roads, steep hills and roads near schools were gritted on Tuesday evening as crews worked through the night to make roads safer.

The A4440 was also gritted again yesterday morning after the accidents and following a request by police.

On the B4204 between Lower Broadheath and Martley, the driver of a black Vauxhall Corsa lost control and skidded into a tree. He was not injured.

Worcester News weatherman Paul Damari said temperatures fell to minus four degrees Centigrade (25 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday night followed by showers, which led to black ice on the roads yesterday.

He said driving conditions would be treacherous again today as temperatures plunge to minus four again overnight.

Freezing fog is also expected this morning making visibility poor, which adds to the risk for drivers.