Lancashire's Road Safety Group is offering free ice-scrapers to stop drivers using boiling water to de-ice their windscreens this winter.

A survey from car care specialists, Comma, revealed a third of young drivers - some 300,000 - risk cracking their windscreens by attempting to de-ice them by using hot water. The survey also revealed younger drivers were the most unprepared of all those surveyed, as they were more likely to use items such as credit cards, fingernails, books and even CD cases to clear their windscreen.

As the temperatures continue to plummet, millions of motorists are not making sure they have a good field of vision before driving to work by de-icing their windscreens. 30 percent of motorists between the age of 19 and 21 admit to using hot water to clear their windscreens. The county council's Road Safety Group is advising motorists to stick to de-icer as using hot water could result in the glass cracking due to the sudden change in temperature.

71 percent of drivers in their 50s are more likely to use the traditional ice scraper, compared to 40 percent of young drivers. Older drivers are also least likely to damage their windscreens, with only 9 percent using hot water.

Neil Cunliffe, Road Safety Group Manager said: "In cold weather, we all need to take a bit more time to clear our car windscreen's. An ice scraper and a can of de-icer should be essential items kept in your car. The Road Safety Group has a number of ice-scrapers to give away free to anyone who would like one."

To request your FREE ice-scraper or for more winter driving tips, call the Road Safety Group on 0800 328 1635, email roadsafety@env.lancscc.gov.uk or visit lancashire.gov.uk/roadsafety