As the nights get darker and weather conditions change, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the need for motorists to prepare not only their vehicles for the coming months ahead but also their own mindset when it comes to driving in a wintry environment.

- Keep your vehicle well maintained.

- Take special care that brakes, tyres, lights, batteries, windscreens and wiper blades are in good condition and well maintained.

- Plan ahead. Check the forecast, road conditions and consider alternative routes. Allow extra time for your journey - When did you last check your tyres? Tyres should be checked weekly to ensure they are legal and at the correct pressure.

- Remember your stopping distance is increased 10 times when driving in snow and ice - Select second gear when pulling away, easing your foot off the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin - It is not always obvious that the road is icy. Look for clues such as ice on the pavement or on your windscreen.

- If your tyres are making virtually no noise on the road, it could be a sign that you are driving on ice. Do not brake heavily – it will just lock your wheels and you will skid further. Consider changing to a lower gear - Clear any snow on the roof of the vehicle before you drive off. It can slip down and obscure your view - In severe cold or snowy conditions, look out for winter service vehicles spreading salt or using snow ploughs. They will have flashing amber beacons and will be travelling at slower speeds – about 40mph. Stay well back because salt or spray is thrown across the road. Don’t overtake unless it is safe to do so – there may be uncleared snow on the road ahead.

- Keep an emergency kit in the car, consisting of ice scraper and de-icer, torch and spare batteries, warm clothes and a blanket, a pair of boots, first-aid kit, battery jump leads, a shovel for snow, food and a warm drink in a flask, and sunglasses in the glove box to help you see in low sun. Make sure your mobile phone is charged fully and you have a map for any unplanned diversion.

- And finally, in the darker evenings and mornings, be aware that pedestrians are harder to spot in the dark and may not be visible until they are very close. In particular, take care when driving near schools and in residential areas, where children may be walking and cycling. These road users are very vulnerable, as they are both hard to spot in the dark and may act unpredictably. Slow right down to 20mph. If you hit someone at this speed they have more than a nine in ten chance of survival, compared with about a 50/50 chance at 30mph.

Meanwhile, a national firearm licensing campaign was launched on Monday and as Local Area Commander for East Lothian I would like to highlight this drive by Police Scotland, which aims to promote and educate firearm and shotgun certificate holders on the security of their weapons.

Police Scotland would like to encourage the public to bring to the attention of police anyone, but especially those within the shooting community, who could be vulnerable to criminal or terrorist activities.

Alongside this, police are encouraging the shooting community and wider public to watch for signs of behavioural change in friends or fellow shooters as an early warning that something is not quite right and they may need help. Illness or sudden change in personal circumstances can impact people differently.

This initiative is not about catching the shooting community out, but working with them to raise awareness of security issues and encouraging them to report concerns they have about fellow shooters in order that we can help and support them.

Further information on the security of firearms, shotguns and airweapons can be found on the Home Office website (www.gov.uk/firearms-licensing-police-guidance).

Police Scotland would ask that anyone who may have concerns regarding a firearm or shotgun certificate holder to contact them on 101 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at www.crimestoppers-uk.org