Driving on Snow & in Snowstorms: Staying Safe on Winter Roads

Driving on snow can be a challenging thing. Even for experienced motorists.

Slippery roads, poor visibility, and unpredictable weather mean you need to take extra care and prepare your journey ahead of time.

This article will cover everything required to help you stay safe while driving on snow and in snowstorms.

Such as how you can prepare your vehicle and tips on driving safely.

Preparation for Snowstorms

If there has been a lot of snow, which is lying on the roads, the first thing you need to do before venturing out and driving on the snow is prepare.

A well-prepared vehicle is much less likely to face trouble in a snowstorm.

1. Plan Your Journey

It’s always best to check the weather forecasts before setting off – especially if it is a long journey.

Make sure to use trusted sources to monitor conditions. The Met Office website can give you detailed information for most parts of the country. It helps if you check not just the conditions where you are, but where you are planning to drive to and through.

While you’re planning the route you will take, make sure that you stick to the main roads as much as is possible. These will have a much greater chance of being gritted and the snow cleared. It’s advisable to avoid shortcuts on minor roads.

If your journey is to a deadline, factor in extra time for clearing snow and ice from your vehicle and driving cautiously. All of which will mean your journey takes longer than usual.

2. Prepare Your Car

Before you set off, properly de-ice and clear the snow from your car. This includes all snow and ice from windows (especially the windscreen), mirrors, lights, and the roof.

Driving with snow on your car is not only dangerous but illegal.

If it is a long journey, check your car tyres. Ensure they have at least 3mm of tread for grip.

If you live somewhere with frequent snowfall, consider all season tyres or winter tyres.

Finally, make sure that you have topped up the fluids of your car. Try to make use of screenwash that is able to work in conditions of -35°C - to prevent freezing.

3. Pack a Winter Emergency Kit

When driving on snow or in a snowstorm, make sure you have an emergency kit in the car.

Some of the items you should make sure to include are:

• Torch (wind-up or with spare batteries)
• Blanket and warm clothes
• Ice scraper and de-icer
• Non-perishable snacks and water
• Shovel and grit
• First aid kit and warning triangle
• Mobile phone charger or power bank

Driving Safely on Snow

Once you’ve finally set off and you are on the road, adapting your driving style is very important.

You can’t drive in the same manner as you would during the warm summer months during a snowstorm.

Snow and ice significantly reduce grip, so every action—be it steering, braking, or accelerating—needs to be smooth and measured.

1. Start Gently

Pull away in second gear to reduce wheel spin. The less revs and torque you can use when starting, the better. As this will help you grip as much as possible on slippery roads.

When accelerating, do so smoothly. Avoid any sudden throttle inputs. When possible, change to the higher gears as soon as possible.

2. Maintain Control

Due to the fact that stopping distances are increased when driving on snow, it’s best to keep your speed low. Driving too fast increases the risk of skidding. Conversely, driving too slowly can also lead to loss in momentum. Making it hard to carry on when dealing with inclines.

In a similar vein, make sure that you leave extra space when driving. It’s recommended that you have a stopping distance of 10 times the normal gap.

3. Driving On Snow Uphill and Downhill

When driving uphill, make sure to leave plenty of room between vehicles to maintain a steady pace without gear changes. The key is a consistent and constant speed, which allows you to maintain grip and control. Travelling in as high a gear as is possible without the car losing power or stalling.

It is the opposite in many ways for driving on snow downhill. You should aim to use low gears and engine braking to control your speed. Avoid using brakes unless absolutely necessary.

4. Stay Visible in a Snowstorm

Keep your headlights on to help you see and to make sure other road users are aware of where you are. Use dipped headlights during the day.

If visibility drops below 100m, switch on your fog lights but remember to turn them off when visibility improves.

UK Drivers Driving in Winter Conditions

At the end of 2024, research commissioned by Isuzu revealed that 73% of drivers felt worried or anxious about driving in wintry, icy or cold conditions.

To find out how our audience felt about winter driving, we put out a poll asking,

‘Do cold, wintry roads worry you?’

Of the 146 participants, we found that 52.1% did find wintry conditions to be a worry.

When invited to leave their thoughts, one of the key worries that people have relates to other drivers' incompetencies.

With numerous drivers expressing frustration and concern over other road users' perceived lack of winter driving skills. As well as recklessness and disregard for safety.

When it came to advice, Patrick Mc wrote:

“Sounds counterproductive but learning to handle aquaplaning by getting over the initial shock and not slamming your brakes on and allowing the car to slow on its own with your foot off the accelerator goes along way…”

Another common theme was the inexperience of newer drivers. Some comments linked the perceived lack of skill to newer generations of drivers having not experienced harsh winters. Therefore they have not had the same opportunity to develop their skills.

While Mark W said:

“I insisted on my daughters come out in the snow to learn more about their cars and how to drive in snow, find the limits of the car also did it myself every time changed my car just to learn, but I learnt in old rear wheel drive cars many years ago lived on big hill you soon pick it up.”

Emergencies When Driving on Snow

Snowy conditions can lead to unexpected situations. Knowing how to respond in an emergency is vital.

1. Skidding

If your car loses grip and you feel the car begin to skid you should steer gently into the skid. For example, if the rear of your car slides right, steer right.

It can be hard to counteract your instinct to hit the brakes, but it’s important that you avoid harsh braking and try to let the car slow gradually.

2. Getting Stuck

When you find you are stuck, start by clearing snow from around the tyres. If you have no grip, place grit, or a piece of carpet under the drive wheels to try and improve the traction.

You can try to shift between forward and reverse gears to ‘rock’ the car free.

Tips for Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Snow

For electric car owners, it’s important to know that EVs behave differently in cold weather:

• Battery performance drops. Plan for more frequent charging stops.
• Use eco mode. It smooths acceleration and increases range.
• Preheat while charging. This saves battery power for driving.

Driving on Snow

Driving in snow requires patience, preparation, and skill. By equipping yourself with the right knowledge and tools, you can navigate winter roads safely and confidently.

Remember, if conditions are severe, it’s always safer to delay your journey until the weather improves.

No unnecessary trip is worth risking your safety.

Stay safe out there, and make sure your car is ready for winter driving.