I'm happy to be
proved wrong, but my perception is that people in the UK (more likely
south of Scotland) have little concept of adapting their behaviour to
the weather conditions.

Is that because the Scots are inherently more intelligent, or that they have more experience of poor conditions?

If it's the latter than it's worth pointing out that the south has it's fair of bad weather. Gwennap Head in Cornwall is the windiest lowland spot in England & Wales. I would call this bad http://www.sennen-cove.com/ts06.htm. Also there is an argument the familiarity breeds contempt.

It's up to people to use common sense, and take some responsibilty for their decisions. Warnings etc. are fine for extreme conditions, but spending valuable weather forecast time telling the audience it will feel warmer out of the wind, or it's a good day to take the dog for a walk in the park (yes, that's a real example) or that rain might cause spray is pure madness.

I'm with Tudor on this.

Graham