Authorities fear rise in whiplash compensation claims
Authorities fear an increase in accident claims, whiplash claims and personal injury claims as the ice continues to create treacherous driving conditions.
These treacherous conditions are posed by icy roads and pavements, with limits imposed on salt spreading.
With the supplies of salt thinning, the Highways Agency and councils have already cut salt use by half - up from the 25% agreed last week - to protect supplies.
Hospitals are dealing with "unprecedented" numbers of fractures and whiplash injuries as people slip on ice. Most ambulance services report a four-fold increase in calls, with black ice a hazard across some regions.
The AA predicts there will be a 30% increase in the usual number of potholes. It was found that councils spent £67m filling in almost 1m last year.
AA President Edmund King told the BBC: "If they are not filled in, you can pay out more in compensation. Last year, £47m was paid out in compensation for people's vehicles damaged, bicycles, motorcycles, or indeed injuries."
The Federation of Small Businesses state bad weather is costing the economy £600m a day.
Gordon Brown has said the government is confident it will be able to "maintain the road network".Updated on 18/01/2010