Winter Driving Advice to Help You Stay Safe When Driving on Snow and Ice

Many of us would rather avoid the roads during the winter, when blizzards, winter storms, and treacherous, icy roads can make driving dangerous. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, adverse weather conditions are a factor in more than 2,000 road fatalities annually. It’s important for drivers to familiarize themselves with basic safety rules for driving in bad weather, and to use caution when venturing out onto the roads.

Even if you have driven in snowy, icy conditions before, try to avoid making unnecessary trips in bad weather. If you have no other option, the following steps could help you stay safer.

Take care to clear snow from your vehicle.

If you are in a hurry, it can be tempting to just clear your windshield and windows, leaving snow on your roof, hood, and trunk, but this could pose a hazard for you and other road users.

Check for iced-up mirrors.

During the winter, professional truck drivers keep tabs on their outside mirrors, watching for ice. When ice starts to form on outside mirrors, this is a good indication that it will also be forming on roadways, so you need to take extra care.

Drive slowly.

This is probably the most essential tip. When driving on snow or ice, it is important to compensate for the reduced traction by lowering your speed. You should apply the gas gently, accelerating and decelerating slowly to help you regain traction to avoid skids. It is worthwhile to increase your following distance to at least five seconds, since this can provide you with a greater safety margin if you do need to stop. Keep in mind that it takes a lot longer to slow down on icy roads, so you need to approach stoplights more slowly and avoid trying to get moving in a hurry.

Keep on top of vehicle maintenance.

Even in the summer months, you should keep up with maintenance tasks to keep your car in tiptop condition, but this becomes even more important in winter. Check your oil and antifreeze levels, and keep your gas tank at least half-full to ensure you do not get caught out. Check your tires regularly, since worn tires will place you at even greater risk when driving in winter weather. Many drivers who live in regions with snowy, icy winters invest in winter or all-season tires to give them added traction. In addition, don’t forget to check your brakes periodically. If you hear a squeak when applying the brake, take your car to the mechanic as soon as possible.

Avoid coming to a complete standstill, if possible.

There is a big difference in the amount of energy required to speed up while you’re still rolling, versus that needed to start moving from a complete stop. By slowing sufficiently on the approach to a red light, you may buy yourself enough time to avoid coming to a complete stop before the light turns green.

Apply the gas gently when travelling uphill.

Trying to power up hills in the snow will cause your wheels to spin. It is much more effective to gain a little momentum before reaching the hill, allowing this to carry you to the crest. Once you reach the top, slow down. When travelling uphill, you should avoid stopping if at all possible, since trying to get moving from a standing start on an upward incline can be incredibly difficult in the snow.

Know how to brake.

Irrespective of whether you have antilock brakes or not, when applying the brakes, you should keep your heel on the floor, applying firm, steady pressure to the pedal with the ball of your foot.

Keep an emergency supply kit in your car.

Even the most experienced drivers should always head out in winter weather prepared for the worst. Make sure you have a first aid kit, blanket, flashlight, flare, shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, and kitty litter or sand to provide traction if your tires get stuck. Additional warm clothes, snow chains, water, food, and a phone charger could also be incredibly helpful if you do end up in trouble.

Avoid slamming on the brakes if you skid.

If you hit an icy spot and feel the car start to slide, it can be very unnerving. Slamming on the brakes is just about the worst thing you can do, however. For a front-wheel skid, ease off the gas to allow the front tires to regain traction. For a rear-wheel skid, steer into the skid, turning the wheel the same way as the rear is sliding, easing off the accelerator and avoiding the brakes. Once the rear wheels regain traction, steer in the original direction.

The takeaway

Sometimes, despite your best intentions, it can be impossible to avoid driving in bad weather. If you find yourself suddenly surrounded by a snowstorm, stay tuned to weather reports and change your route if necessary to avoid the worst of the storm or accidents.

In total white-out blizzard conditions, there’s usually no other option but to slow down even further, get to a safe parking area (not the shoulder of the road), and wait until the worst of the weather passes. Do not stop suddenly on the road, since this could cause a pile-on. Slow down, make sure your lights are on, and find somewhere safe to pull completely off the road.