Winter Driving
- Planning your journey
- Winter driving advice
- Stopping distances in winter
- Skidding
- Driving in fog
- Driving through ice and snow
- Driving in rain
- Floods
- Driving in windy weather
- Driving in freezing conditions
Winter weather can be harsh and driving conditions can change quickly with poor visibility plus snow and ice on the roads so be prepared when driving this winter and take extra care when planning your journey.
- check the weather forecast and road conditions
- consider other routes
- consider other types of transport
- allow extra time for your journey
- ensure that your vehicle is prepared for the journey
- carry warm clothing, blankets, hot drinks, a torch, a shovel, and suitable footwear
- tell someone at your destination what time you expect to arrive
In winter, it is even more important to check that your vehicle is well maintained and serviced. Before going on a journey, make sure your vehicle is in good running order.
Before driving, consider these points:
- keep the lights, windows and mirrors clean and free from ice and snow
- add anti-freeze to the radiator and winter additive to the windscreen washer bottles
- make sure wipers and lights are in good working order
- check that tyres have plenty of tread depth and are maintained at the correct pressure
Road conditions can suddenly change during the winter, so when driving it’s best to be well prepared.
During your journey, consider these points:
- reduce speed in bad weather
- increase stopping distances
- avoid sudden acceleration and braking
- use dipped headlights in poor conditions
- take breaks every two or three hours
- do not pass closed snow gates
- listen to travel bulletins
If stranded:
- ensure that your vehicle will not block access (abandoned vehicles can obstruct spreaders)
- if possible, remain in your vehicle unless there is a safety risk
- maintain your circulation by moving about
- use engine to keep warm unless exhaust cannot vent
- keep an airway open if snowed over
We recommend you keep the following in the boot:
- Ice scraper and de-icer
- Torch
- Warm clothes and a blanket
- A pair of boots
- First-aid kit
- Battery jump leads
- A shovel if it’s likely to snow
- Food and a warm drink in a flask for particularly cold weather
It’s also worth keeping a pair of sunglasses in the glove box to protect from the glare from the low winter sun.
When roads are slippery it will take longer to stop - up to 10 times longer. So, drop your speed, and give yourself more time to slow down and stop. Drive with care even if roads have been treated.
- Depress the clutch. Do not brake!
- Turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid.
- When the vehicle straightens, steer along the road.
Use dipped headlights so other drivers can see you.
If it’s really foggy (less than 100m visibility) and you can’t see much, then switch your fog lights on. Switch them off once conditions have improved so they don’t dazzle drivers behind you.
Fog is often patchy so try not to speed up as visibility improves. You could suddenly find yourself back in thick fog further up the road.
Check for snow on the roof of the vehicle before you drive off. It can slip down over the windscreen and obscure your view.
If your tyres are making virtually no noise this could be a sign you’re driving on ice.
If your vehicle skids depress the clutch and turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid. When the vehicle straightens steer along the road. Don’t brake – it will just lock up your wheels and you’ll skid further.
When the road’s wet, it can take up to twice as long to stop so it makes sense to slow down when it’s raining.
If your vehicle loses its grip, or “aquaplanes”, on surface water take your foot off the accelerator to slow down. Don’t brake or steer suddenly because you have no control of the steering or brakes.
If you can avoid it, it’s best not to drive through lying surface water as you might flood your engine. The deepest water is usually nearest the kerb.
If you do have to drive through flooded roads, use first gear. Move forward immediately to avoid stalling the engine. Keep your revs high and depress your clutch when you need to.
Test your brakes after passing through the water. If they work then you can drive on at your usual speed providing it’s safe to do so.
In very windy weather we advise you to take extra care on the roads and plan your journeys by checking the latest weather conditions.
High-sided vehicles are particularly affected by windy weather but strong gusts can blow a vehicle, cyclist, motorcyclist, or horse rider off course. This can happen on open stretches of road exposed to strong crosswinds, or when passing bridges and high-sided vehicles.
In freezing conditions, look out for vehicles spreading salt.
Make sure you watch out for our salt spreaders in winter. They’ll indicate they are spreading salt by flashing amber beacons and will drive at less than 40mph. Do not overtake these vehicles unless it is safe. It’s generally best to stay well back because salt is thrown across the width of the road.
The same goes for snow ploughs. Flashing amber beacons mean they are likely to be clearing snow. Don’t overtake them unless the lane you intend to use has been cleared. If you’re following any of these vehicles it’s better to keep well back because snow or salt is thrown across the width of the road.
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