Whether it’s gently falling snow, lashing rain or icy roads, winter can bring testing conditions for drivers. But forewarned is forearmed, and there’s plenty you can do to make winter driving safer and easier, even in the nastiest weather. Here are a few pointers, and you can find even more at on the RAC website.

Stop!

It may be stating the obvious, but when the sleet is horizontal or the snow is falling so fast that even Rudolph would think twice about leaving his cosy shed, don’t drive unless you really have to. Terrible weather is one of those few occasions when putting things off till tomorrow – or whenever conditions improve – really is the best advice.

And don’t just think about the weather. What’s your condition? Winter ailments can leave you exhausted and sluggish. If you don’t feel like you can drive safely, don’t risk it. After all, the alternative – putting your feet up by the fire with a cup of something hot – isn’t so bad, is it?

Car maintenance

You might be OK to drive, but what about the car? Keeping it well maintained is important all year round, but doubly so in winter. For example, worn tyres won’t hold the road in wet conditions as well as those with a good, deep tread. Make sure all exterior lights are working correctly, that windscreen wiper blades are in good condition. Check the oil, coolant and washer fluid levels – pay particular attention to the anti-freeze content of your cooling and washing systems.

Oh, and don’t leave home on that long trip over lonely country roads without enough fuel for the journey. You don’t want to spend the night in a barn!

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In the wet

Driving in heavy rain is difficult and can be treacherous, but only if you don’t heed a few simple precautions. For a start, slow down: the wetter the roads, the longer your braking distance, and the heavier the rain, the worse your visibility. Either way, driving cautiously and leaving a good distance between you and the vehicle in front is the safest thing to do.

If there’s lots of surface water around, you could find the car losing grip, or aquaplaning. Don’t brake or steer suddenly. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and slow down gently.

In snow and ice

Before you set out, remove ice and snow from all over your vehicle using a windscreen scraper or a de-icer, and clear your car lock with a key de-icer. Make sure that all windows and mirrors are totally cleared of ice and snow – the Highway Code states that it is illegal to drive with poor visibility. Don’t just clear a small patch of your windscreen!

Otherwise, much of the same advice for driving in the wet applies if you find yourself driving through snow or ice. Slow down and leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front. Use your headlights if necessary. Brake and accelerate gently.

But it’s not always easy to tell if you’re driving on ice. A good rule of thumb is that if your tyres are making less noise than usual, you may well be. If you do skid, don’t brake – you’ll lock the wheels and lose control. Instead, depress the clutch and steer into the direction of the skid. When the car straightens, steer as normal.

Finally, don’t try and power up hills in icy or snowy conditions. Instead, get a little momentum going before you reach the hill, and let that carry you up. Reduce speed when you reach the top, and drive down as slowly as possible.

How did you cope in the snow this February? Tell your story on the RAC forum

Emergency Stopping

You may have more need for a well-executed emergency stop in the slippery conditions of winter, so remember the rules. Apply the brake, without locking the wheels. If the vehicle starts to skid, ease pressure from the pedal and then reapply. Press the clutch in just before you stop.

Breaking down

On long winter journeys, prepare for the possibility of breaking down by dressing warmly and taking a flask of hot soup or tea, extra blankets and stout winter shoes. If you break down on the motorway, remember to park as far to the left on the hard shoulder as possible, and turn on your hazard warning lights. Get everyone out of the vehicle by the left hand doors and stay well away from the road.

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