A SERIES of pile-ups on the county’s roads have led to police warning drivers to take extra care in bad conditions.

Sgt Mark Scully, of Thames Valley Police’s road policing unit, said he was concerned by the number of motorists travelling through recent fog without headlights on.

Coach passenger speaks of horror after crash 

It comes after 17 people were taken to hospital when their coach overturned on the M40 at junction 7. 

He said: “We have seen some nasty driving conditions and we would urge people to bear that in mind and drive carefully.

“We have had far too much death and destruction on our roads over the festive period and we do not need any more.”

The police sergeant was speaking after a series of pile-ups on the county’s roads.

A crash on Thursday was reported along the same stretch of road where a woman in her 50s was killed in a multi-vehicle smash on Wednesday.

It was the first of several crashes throughout the day, as foggy and icy conditions led to extremely poor visibility for drivers.

Other incidents included a six-vehicle pile up on the A34 and an eight-vehicle crash on the M40.

Three people were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

In a statement, Thames Valley Police spokesman Gareth Ford-Lloyd added: “We would advise motorists to take particular precaution when driving in icy and snowy conditions.

“Motorists should allow more time for their journeys and check for weather warnings and not travel unless it is essential.”

The A40 smash on Wednesday closed the road for almost 10 hours while debris was cleared. 

That incident was the first of a series of crashes throughout the day, including a six-vehicle pile up on the A34 and several incidents on the M40 including an eight-vehicle crash as foggy and icy conditions led to extremely poor visibility for drivers.

And this morning, an Oxford Bus Company coach has overturned near the M40, though it is not yet known what caused the crash.

In a statement, Thames Valley Police spokesman Gareth Ford-Lloyd said: “We would advise motorists to take particular precaution when driving in icy and snowy conditions.

“Motorists should allow more time for their journeys and check for weather warnings and not travel unless it is essential.”

The horror smash on the A40 on Wednesday closed the road for almost 10 hours while debris was cleared.

When disruption was at its peak motorists were backed up for about six miles, and the crash caused delays for drivers through Abingdon and Didcot as well as on nearby roads as motorists tried to avoid the A34.

A yellow weather warning was in place across the county until midday yesterday, with the Met Office warning people about the thick fog and icy conditions.

The lowest temperature recorded during the day was -3.3C at Brize Norton in South Oxfordshire.

Heading into the evening temperatures were creeping up and the Met Office has predicted temperatures today of about 2C to 6C.

Heavy fog is predicted through the early hours of the morning but this is expected to ease heading into the afternoon.

Temperatures are forecast to remain largely the same until the mercury plunges back below zero on Monday morning..

Mr Ford-Lloyd added: “Even if roads have been treated we would urge road users to drive with care, leaving more room to the motorist in front, as stopping distances can be 10 times greater than on dry roads.

“We would also advise motorists to avoid braking or accelerating sharply and also in fog and when visibility is down to 100m to use their fog lights.”