UK motorists are ignoring the safety and performance benefits of winter tyres, despite forecasts that the weather is to get colder, according to Mondial Assistance. In a survey by the roadside assistance expert, 66% of motorists said they would not be fitting winter tyres - 46% because the tyres cost too much money.

Mondial Assistance warns motorists to consider the safety risks they expose themselves, passengers and pedestrians to, by failing to prepare their vehicles for driving on snow and ice. It urges them to follow the example set across much of Europe, where winter tyres are standard practice even in countries with similar climates to the UK.

Giving further cause for concern, only 27% of respondents said they were prepared to consider buying wheel snow socks. Snow socks are a strong fabric which fit over existing tyres to improve grip in snow. Only 4% of those surveyed were considering snow chains. Thirty-three percent of the female respondents surveyed by Mondial Assistance said they refuse to drive in the snow, compared to just 10% of men.

Winter tyres aren't just for snow, advises Mondial Assistance. They use a softer compound that remains flexible when temperatures fall below 7°C and improve grip, using a complex tread pattern. Breaking distances are in turn significantly improved with winter tyres. In addition, special tread patterns mean winter tyres reduce aquaplaning when driving on slush and wet roads and they also have special grooves to increase grip, for optimum performance in ice and snow.