However, now when it's icy outside there are absolutely no advantages whatsoever, and the very thought of driving in it fills me with terror.

During our recent frosty weather I've skidded twice when driving; the first being when I was on my way to the dentist. As if I wasn't scared enough of having another filling, things were made much worse when I suddenly found myself floating along in slow motion, unable to stop or steer and heading straight for the pavement.

Thankfully when I eventually collided with the curb my car came to a halt and I could get on with the business of freaking out about my filling.

The second time was even scarier: when I was turning out of my parent's estate I lost control of the car completely.

As I did my impression of a reject from Dancing on Ice, I just managed to miss hitting a van, which was doing its own skating competition behind me.

I am not a confident driver at the best of times, but this whole driving in the ice thing has really taken the biscuit.

Of course my family have been full of 'advice'.

"I'll send you on an advanced driving course.", threatened my husband, while my dad took it upon himself to instruct me in the ways of driving in icy conditions… "always steer into the skid", he said. "Why, do I regain control that way?" I asked. My dad shook his head. "Probably not, but if you don't steer into the skid, your car will run the risk of flipping over onto its side."

He said it so matter-of-factly that I wasn't sure I heard him properly. Flipping over onto my side? As if I wasn't scared enough – now I was absolutely terrified.

The next day I ventured out in the early morning frost, driving two miles an hour.

My hands gripped to the steering wheel and face pressed against the windscreen, I managed to reach my destination without skidding or flipping. I may have had a bunch of revving, impatient vehicles chugging behind me but I didn't care.

And until someone invents heated roads or hires me a chauffeur that's the way it's going to stay.