REPORTER John Brenan was invited to test West Mercia Police's advance driving "skid pan" car to simulate the dangers of drink driving on icy roads.

ON the television it looks exciting - cars spinning around with screeching tyres spreading smoke across the road.

Behind the steering wheel, the experience of skidding and sliding is a lot less enjoyable. As you feel the wheels go, it is a disturbing sensation to suddenly realise you are no longer in control of the one-ton object you are driving.

That was the lesson learnt after a session in a specially adapted skid pan car organised by West Mercia Police.

I was invited, on behalf of the Evening News, to test out simulated icy road conditions to make clear just what dangers may be lurking on wintry roads and just how difficult things could become after a couple of drinks.

For this driver, it was mission accomplished. Even tootling along at 20mph sober I managed to turn the car so much it felt I was on a funfair waltzer.

It is difficult to imagine what it feels like at speeds touching 60mph, or even faster, and after a couple of drinks.

Sgt John Roberts, from West Mercia's traffic and operations department, explained the threat posed by drinking.

"Taking any amount of alcohol will impair your ability to drive. Your risk perception is reduced, while your confidence is elevated. Alcohol slows down your reaction times and impairs your judgement," said Sgt Roberts.

"If you lose control of your vehicle you do not have the reaction times and judgement you need to correct the mistake which can have horrific consequences for you, your passengers and other road users."

The best way to avoid disaster on the roads is to avoid getting into a skid - slow down, be aware and don't drink - is the message from the police this Christmas.

"Jack Frost was out this morning and we had a number of crashes on the road," said Sgt Roberts.

"But the reason is not because it's icy, it's because drivers are failing to deal with the conditions."