The recent cold snap has brought the issue of driving in snowy and icy conditions back into focus, and it's being claimed a lot of the problem is down to drivers rather than roads.

Director of Works for the Department of Transport Clive Collister (pictured) says even when conditions are poor and roads are slippery many motorists continue to drive as they usually do. He says this can lead to accidents and routes such as the Mountain Road being closed by police for safety reasons.

Mr Collister says his department has plenty of equipment to keep roads passable, and there is little point in comparing the Island's roads directly with other countries in Europe, where traffic continues to flow despite long periods of considerably icier weather: