Driving in winter - how to stay safe on slippery, snowy and icy roads

From roads affected by flooding and dangerous surface water, to driving in snowy and icy conditions, winter driving is a real challenge for drivers. Prepare for journeys in bad weather with our tips: know what to do if you get stuck, and use our winter checklist to make sure you've packed essential items before leaving for a slippery, icy journey.

Good practice when driving on ice, snow or surface water

• Allow plenty of space between you and the car in front – it takes much longer to stop in bad weather
• Drive slowly downhill in a low gear and try not to brake
• If driving uphill, keep a good distance between you and the car in front, in case they slip backwards, and so you can get to the top without needing to break and try a hill start
• Always use your brakes very gently
• In wet conditions, if you feel your car begin to aquaplane, ease of the accelerator, keep the steering wheel straight, switch off cruise control and do not brake hard
• Use your headlights, even in the daytime, if the visibility is reduced
• Only use snow chains when there’s enough snow on the roads (a complete covering of snow), or you’ll risk damaging your wheels and the road
• If you see a flooded road or deep water - avoid driving through it and find a different route
• Do not drive in moving water or water that looks like it's more than 10 cm deep

• If driving through water less than 10 cm deep: drive very slowly - max 4 mph - using higher revs than normal and in a low gear, do not stop (unless you absolutely have to for safety) and test your brakes as soon as you can, once you're out of the water

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Winter driving checklist – essentials to carry with you:

• A fully charged phone
• An in-car phone charger or power pack
• First aid kit
• A map
• Sat-nav
• A rug or material in case your tires need grip
• A blanket, rug or sleeping bag
• Shovel
• Ice scraper
• Emergency window hammer
• Torch and batteries
• Snacks – nuts, chocolate, fruit or cereal bars, and a hot drink in a flask
• Extra screen wash
• Sunglasses (when it's sunny, this helps with glare – especially when there's snow on the road)
• A warm winter coat, hat and gloves
• Waterproofs

• Sturdy footwear

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Before you set off

• Give yourself lots of time to de-ice the car and get it started and warmed
• Clear all of the windows so your vision all around you is clear
• Make sure you allow plenty of time for your journey - you'll need to slow down in bad weather
• Check your fuel tank contains at least a quarter of fuel, make sure to fill up as soon as you can if it's looking low - petrol and diesel cars use more fuel in colder weather
• Plan your route and try to stick to main roads: these are more likely to get gritted and cleared
• Never let the air out of your tires – it’s a myth this helps you grip - in fact it'll make your car more dangerous to drive

If your car won’t start

• Turn off all of the electrics including lights, radio and wipers
• Try to start the engine in short bursts
• If the engine isn’t starting quickly, wait 30 seconds between each attempt

It’s always a good idea to have your breakdown cover details with you and make sure your mobile phone is charged before heading off. So, if your car doesn’t start, call your breakdown cover company.

If you get your car or vehicle stuck in a flood

• Turn your car engine off, unbuckle your seat belt and unlock your doors
• If it's safe and there isn't moving water around you, safely get out of your car and get to dry land
• If you're unsure, it's better to remain in the car and call for help
• When able, get the car out of water as quickly as possible
• Once on dry land, disconnect the battery
• Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove standing water
• Use towels to absorb water from seats and cushions
• Use dehumidifiers and fans to dry the interior

If you get your car or vehicle stuck in the snow

• Straighten the steering wheel and clear the snow from your wheels
• You can also place a rug down to give your tires extra grip
• Use a shovel to clear snow away from around your car
• If your wheels keep spinning, stop - you may be digging yourself in deeper
• If you can’t move – you can wait in the car wrapped up in a blanket with the engine running (just make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked) and don’t run the engine for more than fifteen minutes each hour
• You can also tie a bright piece of cloth to your car so people can see you

Electric vehicles and cold weather

Our EV partner, Pod Point state that in cold weather an EV battery can decrease in range by around ten to 30% (they go back to normal when the weather warms). To help maintain your battery in the winter, they suggest:

• Using slower chargers where possible - regular use of rapid chargers can break down the battery faster - if possible charge overnight on a slower (~7kW) charger
• Only charge to 100% when you absolutely need to, such as for a longer journey: the sweet spot for your battery’s state of charge is between 20% and 80%
• Get your EV battery serviced regularly

• If possible, avoid extreme temperature changes such as parking indoors

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Frequently asked questions

What is the braking distance in ice? 

Braking distance in the ice can be ten times higher than on dry roads. The calculation for a stopping distance is thinking distance + braking distance = stopping distance. So, if you're driving at 70 mph on an icy road, it could take up to 771 m or more, for your car to stop.

What is the stopping distance in rain?

The Highway Code states braking distances can be doubled in wet conditions - you're therefore recommended to leave double the amount of space between you and the car in front. Never closely follow cars on the road and use the 4 second rule: 

• Choose a fixed point on the road ahead
• Watch when the vehicle in front of you passes that point
• Make sure it's at least 4 seconds or more before you pass the same point

What to do if your car skids?

If your car starts to skid, as hard as it may seem, keep the steering wheel in the direction you're wanting to travel. In other words, do not drive into the direction of the skid - drive away from it. 

Do NOT brake hard, this can make the skidding worse. Instead ease off the accelerator and avoid breaking until the car is heading back in the direction you need it to go.

How to drive in hail or heavy rain?

• If the rain or hail is very heavy and it's safe to do so, pull over and avoid driving until the weather improves
• Switch your headlights on – the Highway Code states you must use them when visibility is seriously reduced (less than 100 m)
• If necessary you can use fog lights, but make sure to switch them off when the rain or hail slows and you can see better
• Leave twice as much space between you and the car in front – it takes longer to stop in the wet
• If your steering feels it may be because your car is starting to aquaplane -  ease off the accelerator and gradually slow down - don't brake hard or you may skid

Should you have winter tires or snow chains?

Winter tires are made with a slightly softer material with deeper grooves and narrow cuts - all designed to help improve your cars handling in colder, wetter and icy conditions. They work best in temperatures below seven degrees Celsius. Winter tires aren't a legal requirement in the UK as temperatures are less extreme than in other countries. 

Some people choose to use snow chains on their normal tires, rather than having a separate set of tires. Snow chains give the best grip for wheels in the snow, and work best in deep snow. They're made of metal so must be removed if you're driving on a road without snow as they could damage your wheels and the road.

A cheaper alternative to snow chains are snow socks. You can keep these in your boot in case of bad weather and they essentially fit over your tires like a sock! Like snow chains, they must be removed when driving on clear roads

When should you use fog lights?

• Make sure you know where your fog-light switch is before you set off
• Use your fog lights if you can't see up to 100 metres (328 feet) or roughly the length of a football pitch
• Do not use full beam - the fog reflects the light back, making it even harder to see
• Do not use the tail lights of the car in front, these can give you a false sense of security
• If visibility is very limited, wind down your windows at junctions and crossroads to allow you to listen out for approaching traffic

• If you really can't see, and it's safe to do so, stop driving until the fog clears

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