West Dorset is a rural and hilly area with three ways out of our village: two steeply upwards and one steeply down. During the recent snowy weather cars were skidding all over the place. I have winter tyres and had been out without a problem.

My daughter lives in Germany where it is less snowy than when we lived in the Chilterns, but a simple rule applies. Winter tyres are advised, Nov-March. They are not obligatory but if a car is so fitted and has to be rescued, all the usual services are free. But if it has summer tyres then it is deemed that the motorist was inadequately prepared and must take full responsibility for rescue and any other costs. I feel it's high time motorists took more responsibility and stopped blaming somebody else for all our Winter transport problems.