Your car and travel

Be Ready's advice on travel starts with a question: can the journey wait? If disruption is expected, consider delaying until conditions improve. If travel is essential, allow extra time, check the latest guidance for your mode of transport before setting off, and follow any Do Not Travel notice.

What to keep in the boot

Pack a few essential items in the boot in case you get stuck in wintry weather: a torch, an in-car phone charger or power bank, warm clothes and blankets, high-visibility clothing, jump leads, food and drink, a shovel for snow, and a first aid kit. In hot weather, pack water bottles in case of a breakdown or a long wait in traffic.

Before setting off, check the tyres, oil, screen wash and fuel level. Before cold weather, prepare the vehicle for winter driving; the RAC's advice on driving in snow is linked from Be Ready at https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/winter-driving/driving-in-snow/. Before hot weather, check tyres, fluid levels, battery and air conditioning.

Whatever the transport

For any journey during disruption, Be Ready asks you to pack essential medication, a fully charged phone and charger, a portable power bank, water and food, and warm or waterproof clothing. Tell someone your destination and expected arrival time, and let them know if plans change. Keep one or more emergency contact numbers in the phone's ICE or Medical ID feature, or on paper in a wallet or purse.

Download or print maps. A smartphone's GPS may still work without signal, but map apps need maps downloaded in advance to show a route. Know your usual route and at least one alternative, such as a different train line, bus route or road.

Weather on the road

• Storms: limit travel. If you must drive, take care on exposed routes such as bridges and high open roads, slow down, and watch for side winds, particularly when towing or in a high-sided vehicle. Park in a garage if you have one, otherwise clear of buildings, trees, walls and fences.
• Flooding: never drive through flood water. Be Ready says it can be deeper or faster than it looks, and that driving through flood water is the number one cause of death during flooding. Turn around and find another route. Check https://www.gov.uk/check-flooding and https://www.gov.uk/traffic-information before travelling.
• Snow and ice: road and rail disruption is more likely, and car accidents become more likely on icy roads when drivers are not used to the conditions.
• Heat: take extra water, keep the vehicle ventilated, plan stops on long journeys, and never leave children or pets in a parked car.

If the journey stops

If the vehicle breaks down, move to a place of safety if possible and follow National Highways' guidance on staying safe and getting help. On public transport, follow instructions from staff and the emergency services; if you are delayed or stranded, Be Ready says it is usually safer to stay where you are and wait for assistance.

Emergency alerts while driving

Do not read or respond to an emergency alert while driving or riding. Find somewhere safe and legal to stop first. If there is nowhere to stop and nobody else in the vehicle can read it, listen to live radio for news of the emergency. See emergency alerts on your phone.

On foot or by bike

Wear bright, light-reflective clothing day or night, put lights on if in doubt, and carry water in hot weather. The Met Office publishes seasonal travel advice and winter cycling advice at https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/travel/cycling-in-winter.