The winter season is officially here! It’s the time of year where you find yourself waking up early to defrost your car windscreen, and winter driving safety is naturally at the forefront of your mind. Whether or not you’ve been driving for years, it’s crucial to brush up on your winter driving skills. This will ensure you’re well prepared for any challenges that may come your way.

It goes without saying, at Driving Test Success we take winter driving safety very seriously. This is why we’ve put together and added our top 10 winter driving tips to help you stay safe and feel more confident. We’ve covered everything from understanding the risks, preparing your vehicle, defrosting your car windscreen to adjusting your driving habits. Once you’ve read this article, you’ll be the expert when it comes to driving in snow and others will be coming to you for winter driving tips!

For more information on driving in adverse weather conditions, take a look at this article from gov.uk.

We understand that driving in snowy and icy conditions can be a daunting experience! The winter weather can transform the once safe roads into a dangerous environment, and can pose significant risk to new and old drivers alike – which is why we have various other blogs available on this topic (we’re the self-proclaimed experts).

Understanding and acknowledging the risks associated with this is the first step to winter driving safety, allowing you to take any necessary precautions.

The primary risk of winter driving is reduced visibility due to snowfall and icy windscreens, as this can significantly impair your ability to clearly see the road ahead of you. Taking the time to clear and defrost your car windscreen will significantly reduce the risk of you getting into any accidents that may be caused by limited sight (but we’ll discuss this in more detail later). In addition to this the low temperatures can seriously harm your car’s battery and potentially leave you stranded. This is not uncommon and can be an extremely dangerous situation that can leave you vulnerable – and nobody wants that! 

You also may want to consider the possibility of reduced traction when driving in snow. A loss of traction can not only decrease your car’s grip on the road, but it can also lead to difficulty when accelerating, braking and steering. 

The good news is however, that you can combat reduced visibility, poor car battery health and reduced traction by keeping some essentials in your car over winter. Invest and keep with you a good quality de-icer and de-scraper to use when defrosting your car windscreen, some jump leads for your car battery and snow socks, which are great for added grip when you’re driving in extremely slippery conditions! You may also find it useful to check out our blog on whether or not your needs a ‘winter health check up’ by clicking here.

Though this may seem obvious, you’d be surprised how many drivers don’t reduce their speed when driving in snow, which is why this is our first top tip for ultimate winter driving safety! 

It’s crucial to drive slower than you usually would when you encounter snow and ice on the road. Slowing down gives you ample time to react to any sudden changes in road conditions or any potential hazards. In addition to this, driving at a much slower pace allows you to have better control over your car and allows you to keep extra distance between you and any other cars. Keeping extra distance between you and the vehicle in front is necessary because it takes longer to stop on a slippery surface.

When driving in winter you’ll need to be more gentle with both your brake and accelerator alike. When you need to accelerate, instead of putting your pedal to the metal, use smooth and gradual acceleration to prevent wheelspin. Similarly, when you’re ready to brake, apply steady pressure to avoid locking up the wheels and skidding.

Our third top tip is to avoid abrupt steering movements at all costs when driving in snow! When making turns, do so slowly and steadily to give your tires enough time to grip the road properly. By doing this you’re reducing the risk of traction, helping to maintain control and avoid skidding.

To maintain the utmost winter driving safety you must use your gears wisely. Using a higher gear whilst you’re driving can better your grip on snowy or icy roads. Many people prefer to start in second gear rather than first gear to avoid wheel spin. Of course if you have an automatic car you may want to check if there’s a ‘winter mode’ or ‘snow mode’ that you can switch on and use over the winter season, to help you better navigate driving in snow and avoid traction. 

Our next top tip is in regards to unnecessary lane changes – if you don’t need to, don’t do it! Switching lanes frequently can cause you to lose control of your car on a slippery road and is totally avoidable! We advise trying to stay in one lane as much as possible in order to maintain stability and reduce the chances of slipping or skidding this winter.

Your full attention and focus is required when navigating treacherous winter weather conditions. Whilst driving, don’t worry about trying to find the perfect Christmas song on your mobile phone, or eating that Greggs festive bake before it goes cold, instead you must stay focused and keep both hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road at all times.

As previously mentioned visibility tends to be much poorer during the winter months, so it’s important to keep your lights on to increase your visibility to other drivers. Use your dipped headlights or fog lights, but always remember to switch them off when visibility does improve for the sake of other road users around you.

You may not have thought about this, so we thought it best to include it in our top tips. Bridges tend to freeze before other parts of the road (this is due to the air circulating both above and below them). Therefore, when approaching a bridge in the winter months, approach with caution and reduce your speed.

Both dangerous and very difficult to spot, black ice is a thin, transparent layer of ice that can be found on the roads during winter. Be extremely vigilant when temperatures are nearing freezing point and watch out for shiny or wet-looking patches on the road. If you are unlucky enough to encounter black ice, reduce speed (without suddenly braking) and let the vehicle pass over the ice without making any sudden movements!

For more information on driving in the snow, take a look at advice from gov.uk.

If you find yourself in a skid, the key is not to panic! This is quite common when driving in snow and ice and can be quite scary if you haven’t experienced it before! The first thing you need to do when you notice this happening is to take your foot off the accelerator and avoid using the brakes. The reason we avoid using the brakes is because this can cause your vehicle to skid further. Once you’ve done this, steer gently in the direction that you want to go and once you regain control of your vehicle, gently apply the brakes to slow down. 

So there you have it, our top 10 need-to-know winter driving safety techniques! Keep these top driving tips in the back of your mind when you’re navigating the road during the winter months and you can greatly improve your safety. Remember to reduce your speed, be gentle with your braking and acceleration, increase your following distance, avoid abrupt steering movements, use your gears wisely, and stay calm and focused when driving in snow!

Now you know our top 10 tips from driving safely in winter, we’re going to discuss how to quickly and efficiently defrost your windscreen (because this is important and has come up a lot in this article). When it’s dark, cold, and you find yourself in a hurry, the last thing you want is your vehicle covered in ice and a frosted windscreen that slows you down! 

We know it may be tempting to copy shortcuts and hacks circulating on platforms like TikTok – we mean, if you want some real driving hacks, you can follow us on our TikTok page! However, following these reliable steps is the best way to ensure you don’t inadvertently damage your windscreen or compromise your safety on the road. 

It’s worth noting there are other ways in which you can prevent your windscreen from icing over, such as parking your car in a garage or placing a protective shield across your windscreen to ward off icy buildup (a simple piece of cardboard can do the trick). However, if these options aren’t available to you, here’s a reliable method for safely and efficiently defrosting your car windscreen during those chilly winter months, allowing you to get back on the road as quickly as possible. 

Make it a habit to ensure your wipers are in the “off” position before starting your car. This simple precaution is vital because if the wipers are frozen to the glass, there’s a risk of damaging the wiper motor or tearing off the rubber when they start moving.

Start your engine and ensure that the air-conditioning is on to remove moisture from the air and prevent your car from misting up. Once you’ve done this, direct the warm air blower towards the windscreen.

While your car warms up, take the opportunity to clear the snow off your vehicle. Use a soft brush to gently sweep the snow from your front grille, minimising the risk of your engine overheating.

Use a dedicated scraper and de-icer on the exterior of your car while you wait for the interior to warm up. This helps to speed up the defrosting process.

Wait patiently until all the glass surfaces in your car are completely clear of ice and mist before driving off. 

As previously discussed, the risk of your car breaking down in winter is significantly higher compared to the summer months. There are countless articles stating what you should take with you in your car in case of any emergency. But, unless you have a crystal ball, you’ll never know exactly when your car is going to break down, so it’s best to keep some essentials in your car! This ensures that you are as safe and well-prepared as possible because you never know when these items might prove invaluable in a time of need.

Here are some essential items you should consider keeping in your car to be prepared for a potential winter breakdown:

1. Ice scraper and de-icer: An ice scraper and de-icer are indispensable for preventing your windscreen from re-icing, as it’s a legal requirement to keep both your front and rear windscreen clear of snow and ice.
2. Torch and spare batteries: These items become crucial if your car breaks down at night, particularly in remote areas where your phone may run out of power.
3. Warm clothes and blankets: Store warm clothes and blankets in your car to keep yourself cosy in case you experience a prolonged wait for a recovery vehicle.
4. High-visibility jacket: This can be a lifesaver if you find yourself stranded in the dark, as it ensures that other motorists can spot you and helps prevent accidents.
5. First-aid kit: Having a first-aid kit on hand allows you to manage minor injuries that may occur during a breakdown.
   
6. Jump start cables: In the event of a flat or dead car battery, having jump start cables can potentially help you get your battery running again.
7. Empty fuel can: Keeping an empty fuel can in your car is a smart precaution in case you run out of fuel during your journey.
8. Food and drink: Maintaining a stash of food and drink in your car is especially helpful if you face a long wait for recovery, ensuring you stay nourished and hydrated.
9. Shovel: A shovel is an essential tool, especially if you’re driving through areas with deep snow and face the risk of getting stuck.
10. Reflective warning signs: These signs are vital for alerting other motorists that you’ve experienced a breakdown, potentially preventing accidents. However, please note that you cannot use these signs on motorways.

So, now not only do you know how to maximise your winter driving safety when driving in snow, but you know how to properly defrost your car windscreen without causing any damage and even what to keep in the car if you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation! 

Of course we hope that you don’t find yourself in a position where you need to use any of the equipment in your winter driving essentials kit, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!

From everyone at Driving Test Success, stay safe when driving this winter!