20 Winter Driving Tips To Help Keep You Safe On The Road

The Importance Of Safe Winter Driving 

Driving safely is something you can quickly begin to take for granted. If you have never been in an accident, it's easy to think it never will happen. This is especially true of more experienced drivers, who proudly point to their driving history and clean driving record to show their high skill level. While they are often good drivers, they are also prone to minor mistakes. During the winter season, when a tiny blunder or lack of foresight is more likely to cause a collision due to increased risk, everyone needs to keep winter driving tips in mind to lower danger.  

When you're gazing at beautiful winter landscapes, it's easy to forget how dangerous colder weather can be on the road. Even a layer of ice too thin to see can lead to slippery conditions that can give even experienced drivers a rough time. However, anyone can follow these winter driving tips to keep themselves and others safe while fighting the winter weather.  

Winter Driving Tips To Reduce Risk On The Road 

Regardless of your driving history, everyone can use some solid winter driving tips. Please note that most of these winter driving tips are easy to implement. This means anyone can take these steps to make themselves safer. Some are done before going out, while others are to be kept in mind while braving the slick roads and cold temperatures.

1. Winterize Your Vehicle Before The Snow Falls

Getting your car ready for winter, also known as winterizing your car, is probably the most forward-thinking winter driving tip here. While it is recommended that you do this in the fall, if winter's here, there is still time to get started. While this process might seem intimidating, it's not that complex. 

An ordinary first step people take in this process is installing winter tires. This is a fantastic start, as you can use the winter tire insurance discount by installing winter snow tires. However, this is only one of many things you can do to make your car safe. Some other steps that you can take to winterize your car include:  

• Have a well-stocked emergency kit ready  
• Put extra warm clothing in your vehicle  
• Make sure that all fluids (oil, windshield wiper fluid, etc.) are changed and refilled  
• Ensure your battery and engine are in good condition  
• Replace outdated or dirty mats and filters 
• Make sure your windshield wipers and defroster work

2. Clean All Snow And Ice Off Your Vehicle

This winter driving tip refers to brushing the snow and ice off your vehicle before you drive around, usually with a snow brush if you have one. Make sure all snow and ice are removed so you can see, and ensure you're using your defroster and defogger as well. 

It's also critical that you clean snow and ice off your roof, as that can fall and block a window or get onto the vehicle behind you, temporarily blocking their view.

3. Check The Weather In Advance

While nobody can predict the weather perfectly, your local meteorologist does an excellent job of giving you a rough outline of what the worst-case scenario could be. A solid winter driving tip is to know if any bad weather is expected. Suppose there's the possibility of severe snow conditions, freezing rain, ice storms, or other unpleasant weather conditions in the weather forecast. In that case, a good winter driving tip would be to postpone or cancel a trip that you have planned. Your current groceries should last an extra day or two if you need them, and it may not be worth the risk of venturing out into dangerous conditions in order to get some chicken and hot cocoa.

4. Wait For The Snow Plows

If the weather seems a little bit iffy, and you're not quite sure if you can sneak in a quick trip, simply waiting a few hours can allow your city's municipal plows to clear slippery roads. The amount of snow required for the use of plows and how long it will take for the plows to clear everything will vary based on where you live, but most municipalities will have guidelines written on their website. Also, keep in mind that major roads are often the first to be cleared, with more residential roads being left for later due to the number of people impacted. If you want to play it safe, it's best to wait until the plows have completed their work.  

On a related note, if you choose to drive while the plows are still out, it's best not to pass a working plow due to the fact that doing so is even more dangerous than passing a regular vehicle. This extra danger comes from blowing snow as well as the ridge of snow created by the plow at work, especially if you pass on the right side of the machine. Although a plow might test your patience at points, saving a few minutes isn't worth the risk, and passing the plow can even lead to reckless driving charges in some areas. 

5. Warm Up Your Vehicle—But Not In An Enclosed Area

Most drivers in Ontario are very well aware that it's essential to warm up vehicles before driving in cold temperatures. This winter driving tip is critical for older cars with carbureted engines that need more time to get fuel circulating throughout the engine. Newer models still need warm-up time to get the engine properly lubricated and ready to drive, but they generally need less time. It may only take less than a minute to warm up a newer vehicle model, rather than the five to 10 minutes many drivers give it.  

Regardless of the age of your vehicle, never warm up your car or truck inside an enclosed space like a closed garage. This can cause carbon monoxide to build up inside the garage, can sicken you, or even be fatal in severe cases. You can avoid that problem by simply opening your garage door before you turn your vehicle on to warm up.

6. Understand The Risks Of Freezing Rain And Black Ice

These are two of the most dangerous road conditions for drivers, and both often blur the line between water and ice. As part of this winter driving tip, it is recommended that you approach both with caution.  

Freezing rain is expected when the temperature is close to zero. It happens when precipitation begins as snow melts while falling and then enters a thin layer of frozen temperatures at or near ground level. This starts a process called 'supercooling,' and the rain freezes within moments of hitting the ground, resulting in a layer of hazardous ice. This is particularly slippery and can be seen collecting on power lines, trees, and other high-reaching objects, often causing them to collapse.  

Black ice, while not as dangerous to the environment as a whole, is a much more subtle threat. It is a layer of thin ice that's usually almost or entirely invisible. Contrary to its name, black ice is clear. It just appears black due to the black pavement underneath. Black ice usually results from snow melting into water after being on the ground for a while and then freezing again.  

Either of these scenarios provides dangerous icy conditions for you to drive in. There are, however, some winter driving tips to help you when dealing with icy roads. Ensure that you drive with caution and be vigilant. Avoid accelerating or braking hard, maintain distance between yourself and other drivers, and avoid passing others if possible. 

7. Don't Stop or Speed Up On Icy Hills

Hills can be particularly treacherous in snowy, cold weather, and it's not always evident that they're icy until you're halfway up or down and start sliding all over the place. It can be very tempting to hit the gas when you're going up a hill, especially if that's what you're accustomed to doing in normal road conditions or if you're nervous and just want to get past the hill as quickly as possible, but you should avoid it. Giving your vehicle extra gas on a snow-covered hill will cause your wheels to spin uselessly and make it much more challenging to get past that hurdle. Instead, our winter driving tips for this situation are to try to maintain an even speed as you approach the hill on more level ground and continue upward.  

At the same time, another critical winter driving tip is resisting the urge to stop while going up a snow-covered hill. If you feel yourself slipping a bit or you're not sure your vehicle will make it up the hill, you may decide to stop and regroup. The problem with stopping is it will be very difficult to get going again when you're already on an incline—and this is how many people get stuck. It may not even be possible for a tow truck to assist under these conditions, so it's best to avoid it if you can and, again, try to maintain an even speed from level ground all the way up the hill. 

8. Know What To Do If You Skid

Even if you follow every winter driving tip here, icy or snow-covered road surfaces can cause a skid. A skid usually happens when you try to start or stop a turn too quickly, accelerate too soon during a turn, or brake excessively. A good winter driving tip is to reduce your chances of skidding by avoiding sudden acceleration, turning, and braking. If a skid happens, remember not to panic. Panicking will only cause you to make poor, impulsive decisions in the heat of the moment.  

There are also some winter driving tips to help you handle a skid if one does happen. Contrary to popular belief, braking is often a poor decision during a skid. Ease off the gas as well to stop acceleration. Both braking and accelerating will worsen the skid, so maintain your current momentum. It's also essential to ensure that you are looking in the direction that you want to go, not the one that you're skidding in. Finally, only steer gently. Minimalist movements are recommended to avoid worsening the skid. 

9. Know What To Do If You Get Stuck

It's almost inevitable that even if you follow all the winter driving tips above, your car will be stuck in heavy snow at some point, unable to move when you want to. Being prepared for and aware of this situation is a valuable winter driving tip.  

If you get stuck, this is one of the situations where the winter emergency car kit mentioned earlier will come in handy. In that kit, you should have many things in it, including booster cables, extra batteries, extra clothing, and most importantly, a snow shovel. Shovel a few feet around your wheels and tires (or as much room as you have, if there are not a few feet around) of your vehicle to give it enough room to move around. Also, ensure the exhaust pipe is cleared so you don't get carbon monoxide poisoning inside your car. If you cannot shovel, continue with the following steps, although it will be more difficult.  

At this point, you have a few options. You can try slowly going back and forth to escape your current situation. If you are lucky enough to have someone else with you or get the help of some nearby strangers (be sure to thank them), you can have them push. Be sure that if someone is pushing from behind, your vehicle is moving forward, and vice-versa if you're backing up. You can also place something like kitty litter or sand over the slippery surface to gain better traction.  

If all of this doesn't work, you should call a professional such as a towing service, roadside assistance or roadside services to get you out. 

10. Don't Over-Exert Yourself If You Get Stuck

This might not be exactly a winter driving tip, but it's important to note that if you do get stuck, you shouldn't push yourself to shovel if you know the physical strain will be too much for you. If you begin shovelling and start to feel weak, dizzy, or overexerted, stop immediately and rest. Shovelling snow can be more dangerous than many people suspect because the motion of repeatedly heaving your arms can exacerbate heart conditions and cause medical distress. 

11. Know What To Do If You Are Stranded

Though it's not very pleasant to think about, it does sometimes happen that a driver becomes stranded in a situation where they can't drive their vehicle or readily get help in a remote area. If this happens to you, the most important winter driving tip to keep in mind is always to prioritize your own safety and health, and that of any passengers with you, above the condition or safety of your vehicle. Your vehicle can be replaced, but you can't. If you are stranded in a blizzard, remain in your vehicle, as this will make it easier for you to stay warm and easier for rescue parties to find you. Do not try to walk in a severe blizzard, even if it's only a few kilometres, because you can become disoriented and wander away from the road or even be struck by another vehicle because the driver couldn't see you. Insulate your body with anything in your car—even newspaper or your vehicle's floor mats can help hold your body heat against you and prevent injury due to extreme cold. 

12. Give Yourself Extra Travel Time

This is likely one of the most straightforward winter driving tips. During winter, roads can become icy, snowy and unpredictable, which interferes with your vehicle's traction and braking ability. Driving slower than usual gives you a crucial advantage: more time to react to unexpected situations or hazards on the road. This extra time can be the difference between avoiding a collision and getting involved in an accident.  

Although this will make your commute longer, it's important to weigh that fact against the benefits of enhanced safety. Planning ahead can help lessen the inconvenience of a longer journey. By leaving earlier than usual, you allow yourself sufficient time to navigate the challenging winter conditions and reach your destination on time. That means you can reduce the stress of meeting an arrival time and improve your overall safety and that of others on the road. 

13. Be Cautious

This is a winter driving tip that anyone can follow, but it will likely require you to temper some of your impulses from your usual driving habits. Wintery conditions mean that simple acceleration and lane changes can lead to a skid, so it is probably not worth overtaking the vehicle ahead of you that's going a few kilometres per hour slower than you would like. If a light turns yellow and you'd usually try to drive through in time, you might want to let it go and wait through the red. Driving with some extra caution might make you a few minutes late. Driving without extra caution might make it so you don't get there. 

14. Know Your Route And Look Ahead

While taking the same roads you usually do might seem tedious, making sure you're familiar with the road you're driving on is a good winter driving tip since there are no surprise turns catching you off guard. A yield sign catching you by surprise and getting you to stop can be annoying in the summer but can do actual harm if it causes you to brake hard on winter roadways.  

Another simple winter driving tip is keeping your eyes on the road. While talking with your friends in the backseat is always fun, these distractions can take your attention away from the road. Also, avoid looking for missing items, using your phone, or adjusting the radio. Either have one of the passengers do this, pull over, or wait until you reach your destination. 

15. Use Your Lights

Snow makes the road slippery and dangerous, and it can block your view. Although lights were initially designed to be used at night, a good winter driving tip is to know when it's snowy (or even dark enough) to justify their use. It's important to remember that high beams often reflect off ice particles, so use your low beams instead. 

16. Avoid Tailgating

Let's be honest: nobody likes being tailgated. The dangers it presents are increased on winter roads, as sudden braking is more likely to cause a crash. Keep this winter driving tip in mind and maintain a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle ahead of you. 

17. Avoid Cruise Control

Cruise control can be the most exciting or scary thing in the world, depending on your view of self-driving cars. Cruise control allows your car to maintain a relative speed even if you take your foot off the gas. While using cruise control is a solid road trip safety tip that can help prevent fatigue, it's not a good winter driving tip. Winter driving conditions will generally mean that you'll be stopping and going a lot, making cruise control a poor option. This is because it struggles in more crowded conditions and is poor at recovering from and avoiding skids.

18. Let Someone Else Know Where You're Going

When you first started driving in your younger years, your parents probably wanted to know where you went every time you used the car. This likely annoyed you then, but when you got older, you probably understood this was done because they worried about your safety. With all the risks of icy road conditions, a good winter driving tip is to let others know where you're going. 

19. Have A Way To Contact Someone In An Emergency

One of the key reasons to let someone know where you are is that it makes this step a lot smoother. A critical component of this winter driving tip is to have someone in mind that you can call before leaving. Whether you're calling a family member, friend, or 911, make sure that it's someone who you can trust to make the save—and, of course, double-check that you've got your cell phone with you before you head out on the road.

20. Avoid Unnecessary Driving

We all have places to be and things to do, and of course, you won't be able to avoid going anywhere in your vehicle throughout the winter. But when the road conditions aren't the best, it makes sense to limit yourself to only essential driving as a winter driving tip. Going to work or heading to the grocery store is unavoidable. Still, you don't have to go for a long recreational drive or hop in your car in poor conditions when other transportation options are readily available.  

Our Final Winter Driving Tip: Remember This Is Only Temporary 

While all of this might sound like a lot to keep in mind, especially if you're a new driver who's already a little overwhelmed by all the rules of the road, keep in mind that winter only lasts a few months; these winter driving tips will help you be more careful while on winter roads. Take your time, and if you feel uncomfortable driving, be sure to pull over.