Car overturns in Devon following council's ice warning
Road surface temperatures are set to drop to almost -4C in some parts of Devon
Last updated 22nd Jan 2021
The A381 Totnes Road is currently closed in both directions following multiple accidents and icy conditions.
Emergency services were called to the scene at Ipplepen, following reports that a car was said to have left the road, gone into a ditch and overturned.
The male driver is currently in the care of paramedics, his injuries are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening at this time.
Devon and Cornwall Police also received a further report of two riders that had come off their scooters - both were uninjured.
Motorists are advised the road is said to be icy and are urged to take extra care.
INRIX is currently reporting: "A381 Totnes Road both ways closed due to multiple accident and ice from Battleford Lane (Ipplepen) to Ogwell Road (Newton Abbot). Traffic is coping well. Police have closed a large stretch of the road for safety reasons after ice caused multiple accidents."
It comes as Devon County Council has issued a warning of icy roads, as temperatures plummeted overnight.
Gritters will be carrying out two treatments on most routes of the County Council’s precautionary salting network overnight.
However, they warn that the amount of recent rain over the past 24 hours has left running water across some roads, particularly valley roads, including the A377 and the A396 north of Tiverton, which could create challenging driving conditions.
Road surface temperatures are set to drop to almost -4C in some parts of the county.
There is also the chance of scattered wintry showers falling on frozen roads on higher ground. Untreated roads could be particularly hazardous.
"Storm Christoph brought a huge amount of rainfall across the county yesterday, and with temperatures now falling so sharply while that water is still around, everyone needs to be alert to the possibility of icy conditions.
"Our gritting teams will be doing everything they can but they can only treat around a quarter of our 8,000 mile highway network, and untreated roads may well be icy. It’s also worth remembering that ice can form even on treated roads. For those who are making essential journeys, I would urge you to leave yourself plenty of time and please take extra care."
Councillor Stuart Hughes - Cabinet Member for Highway Management
The County Council is reminding people of the following advice:
- • Never assume a road has been salted. Remember that showers or rain will wash salt off roads leaving them prone to ice, and in extreme cold even salting will not always stop ice from forming
- Avoid overnight travel where possible, as road conditions are less easily identified
- Allow additional time for your journey
- Reduce your speed and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front
- Drive with care and according to the conditions
For more information and travel advice is available from Devon County Council’s winter travel webpages or for updates on Twitter follow @DevonAlert.