I do not drive … yet. There’s nothing really stopping me beyond financial problems, but as of last week I have a part time job and will soon be able to learn.

Christmas was an opportunity to catch up with family, friends…and the odd bit of tv. Relaxing on the sofa, surrounded by abandoned chocolate wrappers, I was struck by the car ads I saw. So many of them were for electric vehicles, the drive to a greener and more environmentally friendly approach to travel seems to have finally taken off.

Now the festivities are over, it’s time to get back to the daily commute – and with it, the dreaded school run!

Having racked up 1,000 miles over the last five days on a variety of motorways and A roads, I thought I’d share my reflections and tips whilst they are still fresh in my mind. These tips are for anyone contemplating driving home for Christmas or driving to visit family over the festive period.

Winter brings difficult driving conditions, so this is a good time to remind everyone to drive safely when the temperature drops below zero. Here is some advice from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman, to help drivers cope with road surfaces covered in frost, ice or snow.