How to drive safely in snow and ice

Dear Resident,

The roads can be dangerous in winter when there's snow, ice or sleet. Our top tip is to take it slow. Stopping distances can be 10 times longer when it's icy. Gentle manoeuvres and slow speeds are the key to safe driving in ice and snow.

In the season of winter colds, don't drive with a cold if you're feeling unwell and are on any medicine that could make you drowsy. It could affect your reaction times.

Before you set off

  Allow extra time for winter journeys.

  Plan routes around major roads, which are more likely to be cleared and gritted.

  Try to get up at least 10 minutes early to give you time to de-ice the car.

  Wear comfortable, dry shoes for driving so your feet don't slip on the pedals.

  Check fuel levels – have at least a quarter of a tank in case of unexpected delays.

  Clear all windows using a scraper and de-icer and wait until the windscreen's fully demisted.

  If you drive an automatic, check the handbook – some have a winter mode or recommend selecting ‘2’ in slippery conditions.

Learn what to do if your car heater's not working.

Driving on winter roads

  Pull away in second gear, easing your foot off the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin.

  If you have to use your brakes, apply them gently.

  Driving uphill – leave plenty of room between other cars or wait until it’s clear so you don’t have to stop part way up. Keep a constant speed and try to avoid having to change gear on the hill.

  Driving downhill – slow down before the hill, use a low gear and try to avoid braking. Leave as much room as you can after the car in front.

If you get stuck in snow or ice

  If you get stuck, straighten the steering and clear the snow from the wheels.

  Put a sack or old rug in front of the driving wheels to give the tyres some grip.

Why police advise against leaving your car running

  Vehicle theft: Leaving a car running, even for a short time, makes it an easy target for opportunistic thieves. A thief can drive away with the vehicle in seconds.

  Insurance issues: If your car is stolen while left running, your insurance claim may be denied because you did not take proper precautions to prevent theft.