Edmund King, president of the AA, said ice can be more dangerous than snow because people can see the snow and slow down accordingly.
“Often when you’ve had snow, it melts a little bit and then freezes overnight. Then the next morning you can’t see the ice. It’s black ice or you just can’t see it,” he said.
“He’s really the silent killer type.”
Simon Williams, spokesman for RAC Breakdown, said “treacherous” conditions are expected on the roads “after a heavy freeze overnight”.
He urged drivers in rural areas to “delay or even abandon their plans” to avoid dangerous conditions.
He added: “Everyone should make sure they are fully prepared in case they break down on the side of the road – warm waterproof jackets, sturdy footwear, a flask of hot drink and a power bank to keep phones charged are very important.”
South East Coast Ambulance Service tweeted on Monday: