Snow and ice change everything about how a car behaves. Braking distances can be several times longer, and the margin for error almost disappears. Most winter crashes happen because drivers keep their summer habits.
Before you set off
Clear all the snow and ice from the car, not just a hole in the windshield: windows, mirrors, lights and the roof. Snow sliding off the roof can blind you when you brake, or the driver behind you. Check the weather and road reports, and leave earlier so you do not feel rushed.
The single best improvement for winter safety is a set of proper winter tires, which grip and brake far better than all-season tires in the cold. More on that in our guide to the best cars for snow.
Gentle inputs
On snow and ice, every movement should be smooth: accelerate slowly, steer gradually and brake early and gently. Sudden actions are what cause skids. Leave much more distance than usual, around eight to ten seconds behind the car ahead on slippery roads. Bridges, overpasses and shaded corners freeze first, so slow down before you reach them.
Hills need extra care. Build up a little momentum before an uphill section and avoid stopping halfway; going down, use a low gear and keep your speed low from the top.
If you skid
Look and steer where you want the car to go. Do not slam on the brakes. If the car has ABS (almost all modern cars do), press the brake firmly and steadily if you need to stop, and let the system pulse; do not pump the pedal. Stability control helps a lot, but it cannot create grip that is not there.
Visibility and black ice
Keep your headlights on in snowfall, and use fog lights only when visibility is really poor. Black ice is almost invisible: be suspicious when the road looks wet but other cars throw no spray, or when temperatures hover around freezing.
If you get stuck
Stay with your car; it gives you shelter and makes you easier to find. Clear the exhaust pipe of snow before running the engine for heat, and run it only for short periods with a window slightly open to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep a winter kit with blankets, warm clothes, a shovel, a scraper, water, snacks and a charged phone. The NHTSA winter driving tips include a full checklist.
Preparing the car itself matters too. Our guide to seasonal car maintenance explains what to check every fall, and battery problems are especially common on cold mornings.
