Drivers were warned to look out for black ice as they headed for work today after one of the coldest nights saw temperatures plummet to minus 5 degrees centigrade.
Sgt Andy Stephenson, from Rayleigh traffic, was confident South Essex's major roads should have been gritted, but he warned there could still be dangerous icy condition on more peripheral streets.
He said: "The principal roads should be safe but drivers should be wary of dangerous conditions on streets which have not been gritted. It has been extremely cold overnight,which always causes dangerous driving conditions."
He also recommended drivers leave a few minutes extra before setting off in the mornings, to leave enough time to clear their vehicle windows of frost.
He said: "I have seen several fatal accidents caused by frosted windows where drivers' views have obviously been prohibited.
"It is always worth setting aside that extra little bit of extra time in the mornings to give yourself the chance to clear your windows properly."
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