Winter Driving Tips: How To Stay Safe on Snow and Ice

Driving can become more dangerous in winter conditions, as drivers may need to contend with weather that obstructs visibility, additional vehicle maintenance and slippery, ice-covered roads. If you must leave home amid a wintry storm, you need to follow winter driving tips like making sure your car is working correctly, packing an emergency kit, purchasing enough car insurance to cover common risks and driving slowly and safely.

Safe winter driving tips include performing regular car maintenance, refraining from high speeds or sudden turns while driving, keeping up with weather forecasts and knowing how to respond to skids and collisions.

Keep reading to learn more about how to drive safely in winter weather in order to avoid costly winter driving accidents.

How To Drive Safely This Winter

Read on to learn some of the most important winter driving safety tips you need to follow heading into the holiday season.

Winter Condition	Risk Factor	Recommended Response
Snow-covered roads	Reduced traction	Lower speed, increase following distance and avoid abrupt maneuvers
Black ice	Slippery surface that’s hard to see and can cause loss of control	Ease off the accelerator, gently press the brakes, turn into the skid and avoid hard braking or sharp steering
Freezing rain	Rapid ice accumulation on roads and windshields	Postpone nonessential travel
Heavy fog	Severely reduced visibility	Slow down and use fog lights or low-beam headlights
Blizzards	High winds, low visibility and possible road closures	Avoid travel and seek safe shelter

How To Prepare Your Car for Winter Driving

Before hitting the road this winter, you need to take the steps discussed in the upcoming sections to make sure your vehicle is in the best possible condition.

Check Your Tires, Brakes and Battery

Cold temperatures can cause multiple parts of your car to operate less efficiently, so you may need to check them more frequently during the winter to verify that they’re still in working order. For example, for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit that the outdoor temperature decreases, you can expect your tire pressure to go down by about one pound per square inch — potentially raising the risk of flat tires or blowouts.^[1]

Meanwhile, numerous brake-related issues may arise during the cold winter months, such as worse sensitivity or rust from melted snow.^[2] Similarly, the amount of electricity a car battery can store and utilize is about 20% lower in below-freezing temperatures, and it may not be able to charge as quickly, placing drivers at a greater risk of experiencing mechanical breakdowns while driving.^[3]

Clear Snow and Ice From Your Vehicle

Removing snow and ice from your front windshield, mirrors and windows is important to ensure maximum visibility before you hit the road. You may want to take the time to clear snow away from other parts of your vehicle as well. For example, if a significant amount of snow has piled up on top of your car, you should remove it so it doesn’t fall in front of your windshield or onto other cars while you drive.

Pack a Winter Emergency Car Kit

When temperatures drop and roads become more treacherous, your car needs to be equipped to handle these changes. However, breakdowns can still occur even with proper maintenance, so it’s wise to prepare an emergency kit just in case. Essential supplies you’ll want to keep in your car include:^[4]

• Flashlight with extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Snow shovel
• Ice scraper or snow brush
• Blankets and sleeping bags
• Dried nuts, granola bars or other nonperishable foods
• Bottled water
• Jumper cables
• Extra clothes, such as mittens, jackets and knitted caps
• Sand or cat litter to help your car regain traction if it becomes stuck
• Car charger or power bank for your phone
• Traffic cones or other bright objects

How To Drive Safely on Snow and Ice

Once you’ve started driving in winter weather, you need to put the following tips into practice to keep yourself and others on the road with you safe.

Reduce Your Speed and Increase Following Distance

Decreased traction on slippery or icy roads makes it harder to slow down quickly, so it’s crucial to minimize the odds that you’ll need to drastically reduce your speed while driving. One of the best ways to do this is to drive more slowly so your car doesn’t have to drop its speed as much to come to a complete stop. Also, stay far enough behind other vehicles that you have at least eight to 10 seconds to stop your car without crashing into them, if necessary.^[5]

Accelerate and Brake Gradually

Along with its impact on your speed, reduced road traction in the winter can make it harder to maintain control of your vehicle whenever you make sudden movements, such as braking or speeding up. To avoid skidding on icy winter roads, you must lightly press the gas or brake pedal and increase pressure slowly whenever you need to accelerate or decelerate.^[6]

Avoid Sudden Turns and Lane Changes

In the same way, other sharp movements — such as veering out of the way of road hazards or aggressively moving into the next lane ahead of another driver — can cause you to lose control of your car on a low-traction road. This gets back to the importance of driving at an appropriate speed; if you’re already moving slowly, you won’t need to adjust your vehicle suddenly whenever you want to turn or change lanes.

What To Do in Dangerous Winter Driving Conditions

Below, you’ll see some more practical steps winter drivers can take to avoid major accidents that may require them to file car insurance claims while driving through winter conditions.

Check Weather Forecasts and Road Conditions

Taking a glance at the forecast in advance can make you aware of potentially hazardous road and weather conditions, such as snowfall, freezing rain or fog. Based on this information, you can decide whether you need to adjust your travel plans, take alternate routes or even postpone your trip. For example, if you commute to work and see that heavy rain is expected in a couple of days, you may want to ask if you can work remotely that day.

Know When To Stay Off the Road

If the chances of a snowstorm, heavy fog or freezing rain are high, it may be best to simply stay home. These cold weather conditions can drastically reduce visibility, make roads dangerously slippery and increase the odds of a car accident. Instead of risking it, consider waiting a few hours or until local news or weather apps indicate that the weather is improving.

In the event that bad weather hits while you’re actively on the road, consider calmly and safely pulling over and waiting it out or seeking shelter nearby. Several states have designated rest stops where you’re allowed to sleep in your car. Ultimately, no appointment or destination is worth compromising your safety or the safety of others on the road while driving during winter.

Learn What To Do if Your Car Gets Stuck in the Snow

If you get caught in heavy snow and can’t move your car, it’s best not to abandon your vehicle — walking through a blizzard is dangerous, your car generally gives you a warm place to stay and it’s easier for first responders to find you by looking for your vehicle in its last known location. It’s also important to mark your car with a brightly colored light or piece of fabric, bundle up in blankets or jackets and avoid overexerting yourself while trying to dig out your wheels.^[6]

How Does Car Insurance Cover Winter Driving Accidents?

Coverage details may vary based on your policy’s specific terms, deductibles and exclusions, but in general, car insurance can cover wintertime car accidents and related losses.

Winter Incident	Coverage That May Apply
Driver slides on ice and hits a guardrail	Collision insurance
Tree branch falls onto a parked vehicle	Comprehensive insurance
Driver causes a collision on an icy road	Liability insurance for third-party losses, collision insurance for the at-fault driver’s vehicle and personal injury protection or medical payments coverage for the at-fault driver’s injuries
Vehicle gets stuck in snow	Roadside assistance
Engine damage due to poor maintenance	Not covered by insurance

Collision vs. Comprehensive Coverage for Winter Damage

Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle if you get into a car accident on an icy road, regardless of who’s at fault for the collision. Conversely, comprehensive insurance covers damage from external perils, such as falling tree branches, wind-blown ice shards that fly through your windshield, theft or vandalism while your car is unattended and heavy snow that causes your car roof to cave in.

After covered damage, both comprehensive and collision coverage will pay out the cost to repair your car or — if it’s declared a total loss — the actual cash value of the vehicle.

Does Car Insurance Cover Accidents on Icy Roads?

If you’re held liable for a wintertime collision, your liability car insurance can cover car repairs and medical treatments for the other driver and their passengers. However, liability insurance won’t cover any of your expenses, so you’ll need to file a collision insurance claim for your own repairs and a medical payments coverage or personal injury protection claim if you or your passengers get hurt.

Does Roadside Assistance Cover Winter Emergencies?

Signing up for a reputable roadside assistance program can provide a pivotal safety net in case you end up stranded in cold, isolated conditions due to a sudden breakdown, a flat tire or getting stuck in a snowdrift. Roadside assistance technicians may offer a variety of services, such as towing, battery jumpstarts, winching, spare tire installations and emergency fuel delivery.

Common Winter Driving Accidents and How To Avoid Them

Continue reading to learn how to safely drive in winter conditions by recognizing common types of collisions and defensive maneuvers you can take to avoid them.

Rear-End Collisions and Multicar Accidents

Following another driver too closely on a slick road may leave you unable to stop in time if they brake suddenly, resulting in a rear-end collision. If several drivers fail to practice safe driving behaviors, a single crash could start a chain reaction that leads to a multicar pileup. To prevent this, follow the safety precautions discussed previously, like driving slowly, increasing following distance and braking lightly to avoid spinouts.

Skidding, Spinouts and Accidents Caused by Black Ice

Black ice is a significant driving risk because it blends in with the street, meaning a driver may not realize it’s there until they’ve already run over it and started spinning out of control. If you drive over black ice and begin to skid, respond like you would if you were hydroplaning: take your foot off the gas, lightly pump the brakes and turn your steering wheel in the direction of the skid until your car is traveling in the correct direction.^[7]

Pedestrian Accidents in Snowy Conditions

During winter, snowbanks and glare from ice can make it harder to see pedestrians. In addition, slippery sidewalks might force pedestrians onto roads, and shorter daylight hours may mean more people are out around dusk or dawn when visibility is compromised. Be especially vigilant from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., which is the time frame during which one-third of pedestrian fatalities occurred in the winter of 2024.^[8]

Why Is It Important To Drive Cautiously in Winter Weather?

It’s important to drive cautiously in winter weather because nearly a quarter of weather-related car accidents happen on pavement made slick by snow, slush or ice.^[9] The combination of snow, ice, sleet and reduced visibility can transform even familiar roads into unpredictable terrain. As a result, driving cautiously is paramount — not only for your safety but also for the safety of everyone else on the road and sidewalks.

Icy conditions can significantly extend stopping distances — making sudden braking or sharp turns risky — while reduced visibility means hazards can appear with little warning. Furthermore, wintry conditions can be deceiving; what appears to be a wet road might actually be a sheet of black ice. By driving more carefully, motorists can better react to unexpected obstacles, reduce the risk of accidents and ensure a safer environment for all road users.

Winter Driving Tips at a Glance

1. Overview: It’s important to follow winter driving safety tips because of risk factors like black ice, slick roads, snowfall making it harder to see, inhibited vehicle performance and potentially more pedestrians on the road when it’s dark outside.
2. Vehicle preparation: Make sure your vehicle is ready to brave the elements by completing car maintenance tasks, scraping ice off your windshield and packing a kit with supplies you may need in an emergency.
3. Safe driving: To lower your chances of getting into a car crash on an icy street, you need to lower your speed, keep a safe distance between yourself and other cars and refrain from sudden braking, accelerating or turning.
4. Checking the weather: Keeping an eye on the forecast leading up to your planned trip can help you decide how to adapt your route and whether it may be safer to stay home altogether amid winter weather.
5. Insurance considerations: Several types of car insurance may step in after a winter car accident. For example, collision insurance covers damage to your car in an accident, comprehensive insurance covers damage from external perils and liability insurance covers other people’s medical or repair bills if you’re responsible for a collision.
6. Emergency response: If you start to slide on black ice, take your foot off the gas pedal and lightly tap the brakes to lower your speed and gently turn your wheel in the direction you’re skidding. Meanwhile, if your car is stranded, stay with your vehicle and contact emergency services and/or your roadside assistance provider.

How To Get Car Insurance Coverage for a Winter Road Trip

To find the best auto insurance policy available at the lowest possible price, you generally need to compare quotes from at least three to five different insurance carriers. When you want to request a quote, you’ll have to share information like where you live, what type of car you drive and whether you’ve gotten into any accidents recently. Reaching out to insurers one by one can make for a laborious comparison shopping process, though.

Conversely, you can get a seamless comparison shopping experience when you shop through SmartFinancial. Thanks to our online marketplace platform, you’ll only need to submit relevant information once before we connect you with an agent who can help you find the right policy heading into the winter months. Begin comparing auto insurance quotes for free in as little as a few minutes!