Motorists have been warned of severe driving conditions this weekend after the Met Office issued an amber alert across certain parts of the UK.
Storm Amy is set to hit areas of Scotland, Northern Ireland, as well as northwest England and north Wales, bringing in winds of up to 95mph, impacting roads and driving conditions.
Amy is the first major storm of the autumn season, with drivers now urged to ensure their vehicles remain roadworthy.
Ahead of the weekend, drivers are encouraged to perform essential car maintenance checks to help prevent breakdowns and disruptions to travel.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong said: "Within the Scotland amber warning area, gusts in excess of 95mph are possible from Friday evening and into Saturday morning as Stormy Amy brings a risk of power cuts and damage to buildings and trees.
"Gusts up to 80mph are possible within the Northern Ireland warning area. More widely, 60-70mph gusts are expected in the Amber warning areas, in what will be an impactful autumn storm for many in Scotland and Northern Ireland."
For drivers having to travel during the storm, experts have "strongly advised" motorists to keep both hands on the wheel at all times.
This is to prevent sudden gusts of wind from pushing vehicles sideways without warning.
Drivers have been warned to expect tougher driving conditions this week
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"Keeping your hands in the '10 and 2' or '9 and 3' position will give you the best control and help you correct smoothly if the wind knocks you off course," a car maintenance spokesperson from Fixter said.
Drivers have also been warned that wet and windy conditions can double braking distances.
For example, when travelling at 30mph, drivers will need to allow 37 metres to stop (about the length of eight cars) safely, while at 70mph, this stopping distance increases to 170 metres, marking the same length as nearly two football pitches.
The spokesperson added: "This means you'll need far more room to come to a safe stop if the car ahead brakes suddenly, or if debris appears in the road. Always leave extra space this weekend to avoid last-minute braking on slippery surfaces."
Storm Amy is set to bring strong winds of 95mph and heavy rainfall
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Drivers should also slow down while travelling in storms, as this produces more time to react and keep vehicles steadier in high winds.
The spokesperson detailed how reducing speeds by even 10mph can make a big difference in keeping control of vehicles.
Drivers should also take extra care around high-sided vehicles, such as lorries, buses, and vans, which are more susceptible to the effects of strong crosswinds.
The expert noted that bridges, coastal roads, and open countryside can be particularly hazardous during stormy weather.
Storm Amy is expected to rip through the country over the weekend | MET OFFICEMotorists could see their car shift sideways during heavy wind, with experts warning that if conditions are too severe, they should consider delaying their journey until winds ease.
Martin Thomson from Transport Scotland said: "The rain and wind will bring difficult driving conditions, such as reduced visibility and surface water, and are also likely to affect the ferry and rail networks, so it's important to plan your journey ahead of time.
"Motorists should use the Traffic Scotland website before they set off to make sure that their route is available, and you should check with your operator if you are planning to travel on trains, ferries and flights."