Driving In the Snow: Top Tips
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She covers topics ranging from car insurance to healthcare costs.
Reviewed by
Cara Carlone is a licensed P&C agent with 20 years of experience. She has her P&C license in RI and TX and holds CPCU, API, and AINS designations.
Winter weather can cause roadways to be hazardous due to snow and ice, which means you need to prepare yourself and your vehicle for safety. If you have to drive in the snow, there are a number of things you can do to make it as safe as possible.
And don't forget that before you drive anywhere, you need to have car insurance. If you're in the market to change your policy or you're a first-time car owner, contact a local independent insurance agent to find the best coverage for your needs and budget.
Driving in the Snow: Prepare before You Go
Before you head out to drive in the snow, make sure your car is ready for the trip by taking these important precautions:
- Don’t go out if you don't have to. It's pretty simple: only drive in the snow if you absolutely can't avoid it.
- Know your route. Plan your route for streets that are more likely to be cleared of snow. And give yourself plenty of extra time to get to your destination.
- Remove snow and ice from your car. Aside from your windshield and other windows, precipitation left anywhere on your car can blow around and create a serious visibility problem for you or other drivers around you.
- Warm up your vehicle before you go. This will help you de-fog and de-ice your windshield. Just be sure to only warm up your car outside; never let a car run in an enclosed garage.
- Get winter tires. If you live somewhere that gets regular snow in the winter months, it's a great idea to invest in winter tires, or snow tires. They provide better traction in snowy, slushy, and icy conditions.
- Prepare an emergency kit for your car. If you live somewhere with harsh winters, keep an emergency kit in your car in case you ever become stranded. It should contain things like basic survival supplies, personal safety items, tools, and blankets or additional warm clothing.
And of course, never head out without car insurance. Get coverage with help from a local independent insurance agent.
Driving in the Snow: 10 Top Tips to Stay Safe
Now that you have prepared your car for snow-covered roads, follow these 10 tips for staying safe while driving in the snow.
1. Drive Smoothly and Steadily
When driving in the snow, use smooth, steady motions with the steering wheel, accelerator, and brakes. Sudden, jerky movements can cause you to slide off course. Every move you make should be deliberate, gentle, and gradual.
2. Look Ahead
You need to be aware of what's happening much farther down the road when you're driving in the snow to avoid making sudden turns or stops. Watch for brake lights up ahead and anticipate a much longer slow-down before you have to make any stops or turns.
3. Know How to React to Skids and Slips
If you feel your car beginning to slide or skid, always look where you want to go rather than where the car is heading as you slide. And do not slam on the breaks. Instead, for a front-wheel skid, ease off the gas, wait for your tires to regain traction, and then aim where you want to go. For a rear-wheel skid, quickly turn the steering wheel in the same direction that the rear is sliding. Ease off the gas, and don't brake. Then, as the rear wheels regain traction, steer back in the original direction.
4. Know How to Use Your Anti-Lock Brakes
If you are in a skid from which you can't recover or you need to avoid an obstacle—and your vehicle has anti-lock brakes—push down hard on the brake pedal and don't stop. The anti-lock brake system will keep each wheel braking as aggressively as possible based on the available traction. Also, continue steering around any obstacles to avoid a collision while the brake is still fully engaged. Do not pump your brakes.
5. Stay Far Away from Other Cars
When you're driving in the snow, one of the most important ways to avoid an accident is to avoid other cars! Maintain a greater following distance than when driving in normal conditions to give you the extra time you'll need to stop.
6. Minimize Distractions
It's important to stay alert and focused when driving in the snow. Pay attention to the other cars around you and steer clear of drivers who are driving too fast or recklessly for the conditions. In addition, avoid fiddling with the radio, talking on the phone, or any other distractions while you're driving.
7. Keep Your Headlights On
Heavy snow conditions can negatively impact visibility. Make sure you keep your headlights on, even during the day, so others can see you.
8. Pump the Brakes (Only if You Don't Have Anti-Lock Brakes!)
Slamming on the brakes might be your instinctive reaction when you start to slip or slide on a snowy roadway, but it's actually the opposite of what you should do if your car is not equipped with anti-lock brakes. If your car doesn't have an anti-lock braking system, pump your brakes by pushing down and then letting up repeatedly in order to steer and slow down on a snow- or ice-covered surface.
9. Never Use Cruise Control
Never use cruise control when driving in the snow. Your cruise control system likely won't react to changing conditions as quickly as you can, and you run the risk of losing control of the vehicle if you lose traction.
10. Have a Full Tank of Gas or a Full EV Charge
The last thing you want to do when you're out in a snowstorm is to run out of gas or lose your EV charge. It's not uncommon to get stuck in lengthy traffic backups when conditions are bad. Don't let your gas tank get lower than half-full, and try to stay at least 80% or more charged if you drive an EV.
11. Bonus Tip: Have Good Car Insurance
Never head out on the road, even in perfect conditions, without proper car insurance. Car insurance helps you pay for costs related to car accidents and other incidents with your car. It allows you to drive in confidence, knowing you'll have a financial backup should the worst happen.
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