When bad weather strikes in this country it inevitably causes chaos.

Quite simply, we cannot cope with it. Invariably, drivers are quick to look for blame — but don't want to blame themselves.

But usually the weather is not to blame, rather the inability of motorists to adapt to the conditions.

Yesterday, as the big freeze struck Oxfordshire, council and highway bosses insisted they had done all they could to deal with the sudden cold snap as they came in for the rather obvious knee-jerk criticism.

Gritting trucks had driven out ahead of schedule as drivers were caught off guard by the freezing conditions on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Drivers complained of icy roads, but both Oxfordshire County Council and the Highways Agency stressed key routes had been treated — even though the winter gritting was not set to start until Saturday.

It was the first time snow fell in Oxfordshire in October for 70 years with up to two inches in parts.

All the usual motoring cliches apply at this time of year — yesterday, it was that roads in Oxfordshire were like an ice rink.