Winter Road Safety

Before you set off…make sure you can see clearly through all your windows. It’s also a good idea to let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return, so that the alarm can be raised if needed.

Driving safely during the winter months

Many of us know the importance of road safety and will drive carefully and on routes we use regularly driving can become second nature. However in winter, when the weather turns, even roads we know well can become unpredictable and we can get caught out.

For winter driving – preparation and adaptation is key.

  1. Check your vehicle is in good driving condition.

  2. Make sure tyres are correctly inflated and have plenty of tyre tread.

  3. Remove any snow that could fall into the path of other road users.

  4. Never leave your vehicle unattended whilst de-frosting.

  5. It’s a good idea to pack the car with items such as de-icer, ice scraper, blankets, warm clothes, and a torch as you never know when you might need them. Don’t forget a hot flask, food and a road map either if you’re heading out on a long journey.

  6. Check the weather and remember to adapt your driving conditions if the weather turns.

  7. Are you fit to drive? Have you slept well? Are you on medication that could affect your driving?

  8. Remember that snow and ice can increase the normal breaking distance for your vehicle. So leave plenty of space between you and other vehicles and try to avoid breaking hard. Using your gears to slow down too is a good idea.

Additional resources

You can download our winter road safety advice here.

You can also read this comprehensive document about driving in a variety of different conditions such as snow, fog, rain and ice.