A complete guide to driving safely in the snow

Snow can dramatically change the way your vehicle interacts with the road surface, while affecting visibility. Learn how to drive in the snow with our complete guide.

Prepare your car

Snow and ice should be removed from your vehicle before you set off - this includes the windscreen, all other windows, and lights. You should have at least half a tank of fuel in case you need to take a detour, and to manage the extra start-stop conditions related to driving in the snow.

You should also check your battery, oil levels, tyre tread depth and air pressure, wiper blades (ensuring they are not frozen to the windscreen), coolant, lights and indicators, and screen wash levels.

Gather emergency items

Since there is an increased risk of breakdown in snowy conditions, you should pack water and snacks, together with blankets, a torch (ideally a wind-up), an old piece of carpet and shovel to help if you get stuck, mobile phone, charger, a map, first aid kit, jump leads, ice scraper, deicer, high-visibility clothing, warning triangles, sunglasses (for winter sun glare) and an empty fuel can. Any necessary medication should also be packed. And naturally, you should have your breakdown recovery provider’s contact details close to hand. While this list may seem long, when it comes to how to drive in snow safely, it’s best to be fully prepared.

Plan your trip

Work out the best route - this might not be the most direct one. Avoid areas prone to congestion, snow drifts, as well as steep inclines. Use roads that are less exposed to the elements.

Leave more time for your trip

Give yourself more time to prepare your vehicle - including de-icing, clearing snow and demisting.

How to drive in the snow

Driving tips in snow: The following advice should help you reach your destination safely.

· Wear comfortable shoes - avoid high heels or any footwear that doesn't give you maximum control.

· Wear sunglasses to deal with sun glare.

· Aim to accelerate gradually, keep revs low and switch to higher gear as soon as you can.

· Use 'winter mode' if your car has it. If it does not, and you drive a manual car, move off in second gear to avoid wheel slippage.

· Keep your speed down, and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front (up to 10 times the normal distance in heavy snow) - so you have enough time to stop if necessary.

· When travelling up an incline, ensure there is plenty of space ahead so you can achieve a constant speed without the need for gear changing.

· When going downhill, also leave enough room between you and the vehicle ahead, and don’t brake unnecessarily (as this could lead to skidding).

· When taking a bend, start braking before you begin turning the steering wheel. If you do skid, keep calm: take your foot off the accelerator and point your wheels in the direction of travel.

· In the event of a skid, steer into it. For example, if you are skidding to the left, turn to the left. Do not brake hard or take your hands off the steering wheel.

· Use fog lights if visibility falls below 100m (and turn them off when conditions improve).

· In heavy snowfall, dip your headlights - because your daytime running lights setup may not include rear lights.

· On ungritted roads, avoid the wheel tracks of other vehicles since they can be more slippery due to the compacted snow.

· Braking, accelerating and steering should all be done slowly and gradually.

· Be aware that some areas may remain icy for longer than others. For instance, bridges tend to freeze very quickly, but take longer to thaw. Other areas may be less exposed to the sun and therefore take longer to thaw.

How to drive on snow safely: other measures to consider

If you plan to drive often during snowy periods, or live in an area more impacted by wintry conditions, you might consider switching to winter tyres. They can improve performance, but may not be best suited to heavy snow.

Snow socks are a cheaper alternative to winter tyres, but they can only be used in snowy conditions, and must be removed when the road returns to normal.

Snow chains are another option - they offer even more grip, especially in heavy snow. However, they take longer to fit than snow socks (and should also be removed when the snow clears). With snow chains it’s worth ensuring that you attach them to the driving wheels. So if your car is front wheel drive, then snow chains need to be on the front wheels. If rear, then rear. If its four-wheel drive, then attach chains to each wheel.

It’s also worth practising putting snow chains on, as it’s not easy – and you don’t want the first time to be when you’re depending on them.

Controlling a rear wheel drive on snow

Rear wheel drives may be easier to control if there is more weight over the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, you can avoid wheel spin by taking your foot off the accelerator if you experience slippage, then lightly applying the accelerator when the wheels start gripping again. Otherwise, the general advice above applies - including the options of winter tyres, snow socks, or snow chains.

These tips for driving in snowy conditions demonstrate that a little preparation can help prevent you being stranded or breaking down.

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