DRIVERS are failing to prepare their cars for winter weather, police have warned.
Officers stopped 70 cars during an operation in Hull this week, with 16 found to have defective tyres or lights.
Crashes in the city have increased since snow and freezing temperatures hit the region on Monday.
PC Keith Ward, casualty reduction officer for Hull, said: "It is disappointing to see how many drivers are not prepared for this weather.
"We have seen a lot of tyres that are bald and a lot of broken lights.
"People also aren't clearing their windscreens of snow and ice properly.
"These are the sorts of things which could lead to collisions.
"People need to make sure their cars are ready and that they adapt their driving to the conditions."
He said the number of crashes went up as soon as the snow started on Monday.
He said: "I have been driving along the A63 and it is alarming to see people travelling at normal motorway speeds, even when the weather has deteriorated.
Officers spent two hours stopping cars travelling in Holderness Road, east Hull, on Wednesday.
Of the 40 cars they checked, 11 had defects with tyres or lights.
The team later spent two hours checking vehicles travelling in Sculcoates Lane, west Hull.
They stopped 30 cars, with five defect forms issued.
Fifteen drivers were also cautioned during the day for failing to clear their windscreens and lights.
Two vehicles that were being driven by unlicensed drivers were also seized.
The stop-checks are part of an annual campaign to ensure motorists are prepared for poor weather conditions.
PC Ward said: "More bad weather is expected, so people need to make sure they are prepared.
"A lot of the tyres we have seen have been visibly bald, which shows people just aren't checking their tyres.
"They are our only contact with the road and, if they are bald, it can increase the likelihood of a crash.
"People also need to make sure they are clearing their windscreens and lights fully.
"We have seen a lot of cars where the lights haven't been cleared, which means other drivers are less likely to be able to see them."
PC Simon Carlisle, casualty reduction officer in the East Riding, said: "There have been a few more minor bumps, but no more serious crashes than we would usually expect.
"Generally, people seem to be realising they need to keep their distance, anticipate what other cars are doing and drive to the conditions.
"It has been helped by East Riding Council, which got it right with gritting this year."
• Snow updates for Hull and East Yorkshire
