Winter driving preparation urged as National Highways launches new ‘Safe T.R.I.P. Checks’ campaign

National Highways is launching its winter Safe T.R.I.P. Checks campaign, encouraging all road users to take a proactive approach to winter driving preparation as colder weather arrives across the country.

The campaign goes live on 24 November and will run through to February 2026, targeting families and young drivers in particular, though the messaging is highly relevant to professional driver and rider trainers.

The latest National Highways data shows that winter breakdowns on motorways and major A-roads have risen by 21 per cent over the past five years, with more than 67,000 incidents recorded between December 2024 and February 2025. Slippery road surfaces also remain a significant safety concern, contributing to seven per cent of all killed or seriously injured incidents on the strategic network last year.

This campaign highlights the practical steps drivers can take before setting off, as part of the TRIP framework:

• Top-up – fuel or charge levels, oil, and screen-wash

• Rest – plan breaks of at least 15 minutes every two hours

• Inspect – tyre pressure and tread depth

• Prepare – check weather forecasts and carry essential winter supplies, such as warm clothing, torches, ice scrapers, water, power banks and jump leads

For trainers, the campaign presents a useful opportunity to reinforce the importance of journey planning, vehicle checks and hazard anticipation in winter conditions. These conversations can help ensure learner drivers, riders and fleet clients understand their role in reducing preventable breakdowns, improving reliability, and contributing to safer winter travel overall.

National Highways will also be sharing how it prepares and maintains the network throughout winter, including road-gritting operations, salt storage, and severe weather response measures. DIA members can download and share the full partner toolkit, which includes assets suitable for lessons, presentations and social channels, via the attached PDF provided by National Highways.