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Driving conditions can become really challenging when snow arrives. Read our top tips for staying safe on winter roads.

When snow arrives, driving conditions can become really challenging. But being prepared can make all the difference. Read our top tips for staying safe on winter roads.

Safe driving tips for snow and ice

Allow yourself more time than usual when setting off on your journey. Being well prepared can help reduce stress and make your drive much easier to manage.

Discovering your vehicle has been stolen or broken into can be distressing, inconvenient and expensive. So, what can you do to reduce your risk? 

<ul>
	<li>Plan your journey around cleared and gritted roads (main roads if possible).</li>
	<li>Keep an eye on regular traffic and weather updates, as situations can change fast.</li>
	<li>Pack a winter driving kit (including warm clothing, blankets, a first aid kit and snow shovel).</li>
	<li>Factor in more charging point stops if your car is electric (as <a href="https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/electric-and-hybrid/benefits-and-costs/discover-electric/electric-car-batteries-in-cold-weather.html" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 });
 })(event)"
 >lithium-ion batteries drain faster</a> when temperatures drop).</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Stopping distances: Tyres have less grip in snow and ice, so it&rsquo;s really important to take things slowly and be aware of how long it takes to stop. While the two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front is doubled when wet, this increases up to ten times on snowy and icy roads.</li>
	<li>Improve visibility: When driving in heavy snow it&rsquo;s recommended that dipped headlights are used. These help you see the road ahead without dazzling other drivers - and also help those behind to see your vehicle.</li>
	<li>Reduce distractions: Darker evenings and snowy conditions can reduce your visibility, so potential hazards can be harder to spot. Think about reducing distractions in the car to help you concentrate on the road ahead.&nbsp; 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Clear snow and ice from all windows and mirrors, and make sure your lights work.</li>
	<li>Give yourself plenty of time to de-ice the car, and top up your antifreeze (to prevent your engine from freezing).</li>
	<li>Head to the nearest petrol station to top up on fuel and water, and to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hastingsdirect.com/car-insurance/guides/how-to-check-tyre-pressure.shtml" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 });
 })(event)"
 >check tyre pressures</a>.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Make sure your phone is fully charged (in case you break down) and pack a power bank.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>When driving uphill, maintain a constant speed and avoid stops or gear changes.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>When driving downhill, reduce your speed and shift down to a low gear.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>If your car starts to skid, don&rsquo;t brake. Instead, ease your foot off the accelerator and steer gently into the skid until you regain control.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>If you&rsquo;re driving an automatic, engage &lsquo;winter mode&rsquo; if your car has it.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>If your vehicle gets stuck, resist the urge to hit the accelerator as this will likely only spin your wheels, making the problem worse. Try gently shifting between drive and reverse, rocking your car back and forth to help get some grip.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>If you become stranded, wait inside your car and call for help &ndash; ideally a breakdown service who will be able to recover you and your vehicle.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Winter mode, snow mode or a lower gear setting (such as &lsquo;L&rsquo; or &lsquo;2&rsquo;) are all great tools for navigating snowy roads in an automatic. This is because they help control the car&rsquo;s speed and give more power to the wheels without the risk of accelerating too quickly. In effect, you&rsquo;re helping the car to not slip or skid and keep better traction &ndash; and also prevent wheelspin. This is particularly helpful when you&rsquo;re starting on a hill or where snow is compacted and icy. 
 
Once on the road, keep your speed low, avoid sudden moves (braking, accelerating or turning), and make sure traction control is on (if your car has it). This feature works by reducing the power of your engine and applying brakes to the wheels that are slipping, giving you better control.

As they do not need a clutch or gears to power the vehicle, the vast majority of electric cars are automatic. In fact, most electric cars are single-speed, delivering constant and instant power. This means you’ll only ever have two pedals in an electric car; the brake and the accelerator.  

Our <a href="https://www.hastingsdirect.com/car-insurance/guides/" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 });
 })(event)"
 >motoring guides</a> are packed full of top tips to help keep you safe when you&rsquo;re driving in bad weather.

Some cars are more popular than others. According to the DVLA in 2020, <a href="https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-9187613/What-cars-stolen-2020-according-DVLA-data.html" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 });
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 >the most stolen car in the UK </a>was the Ford Fiesta, with 3,392 reported thefts. This was followed by the Range Rover, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, BMW 3 Series, Vauxhall Astra, Land Rover Discovery, Mercedes-Benz E Class, BMW 5 Series and Nissan Qashqai.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

As cars have become harder to break into and sell on, thieves tend to target more luxury vehicles. This is why premium brand vehicles, despite being less common on the streets, also make it into the top 10. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Theft of high-value cars is often carried out by organised gangs. They either quickly export the cars out of the country, or strip them into component parts for resale. This makes it very hard for police to track down those that are stolen. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Discovering your vehicle has been stolen or broken into can be distressing, inconvenient and expensive. So, what can you do to reduce your risk?&nbsp;

Travelling in snow and ice is a completely different experience to driving in other conditions. To make sure you have a safe journey, follow these tips: 

The most important measure for good <a href="https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/choosing-the-right-insurance/motor-insurance/vehicle-security-guidance/?_cldee=amFtZXNtZWRjYWxmMkBoYXN0aW5nc2RpcmVjdC5jb20%3d&amp;recipientid=contact-877402bd50f6e91180ee000d3a290f8f-edd87190ec8647758910718473ff049e&amp;esid=58f4e4eb-5f5e-ec11-8f8f-002248434cc7" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 });
 })(event)"
 >car security</a> is common sense. While some of these points from the ABI might seem obvious, you&rsquo;d be surprised how many motorists get caught out. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

<ol>
	<li>Think about security when choosing a car. Many car manufacturers offer improved security features such as trackers, alarms, immobilisers and secure keys. &nbsp;</li>
	<li>Lock your car (and check it is locked). It&rsquo;s easy to forget to lock your car door or leave the boot open. So double check your doors and windows before walking away. Thieves can also block key fob locking signals, so it&rsquo;s always worth doing a manual door check just in case.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Remove valuables from sight. Leaving phones, laptops, handbags and valuables on show will attract car thieves. Make sure they&rsquo;re out of sight or take them with you.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Use an alarm, immobiliser or tracking device. You can sometimes reduce your <a href="/hastings-direct/car-insurance" 
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 >car insurance premiums</a> by fitting additional security devices. Trackers might not stop thieves from taking your car, but they do make it more likely it will be found and returned to you.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Get a steering lock.&nbsp;Locks for your steering wheel, gearstick or pedals might seem clunky, but they&rsquo;re enough of a headache to make thieves think twice about breaking in.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Park in a safe place.&nbsp;A well-lit, highly visible spot is best, preferably covered by CCTV. Car thieves look for vehicles they can target without being seen.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Never keep <a href="https://www.hastingsdirect.com/car-insurance/guides/guide-to-uk-driving-laws.shtml" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 });
 })(event)"
 >car documents </a>in the vehicle. If a car thief finds a logbook and service records in a car, they can pass themselves off as the owner or even run up debts in your name.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>And never leave your car running.Just popping into the shop, or returning into your house to grab something? It only takes a few seconds for someone to jump in and make off with your vehicle.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

You’ll need to be extra cautious when driving in snowy conditions, and remember to take other road users into consideration.  

Did you know that more breakdowns and accidents happen in winter months? The last place you want to be is stranded by the roadside when temperatures drop. Yet according to <a href="https://nationalhighways.co.uk/press/road-users-urged-to-prepare-for-extreme-weather-conditions-as-winter-breakdowns-increase/" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 });
 })(event)"
 >National Highways</a> a surprising number of drivers head out without being properly equipped.

Child car seat rules changed in March 2017, meaning kids have to use one until they're 12 or grow to 135cm (4ft 11in). Whether you're driving with your own child, a grandchild or a friends little one, it's your responsibility to make sure you're following the law. So, here's a recap:

The key to driving safely in snowy conditions is to make sure you&rsquo;re fully prepared. By planning ahead and adapting the way you drive to suit the freezing conditions, you&rsquo;ll reduce the risk of needing help later on.

Although not required by UK law, having a set of winter tyres can help greatly &ndash; especially if you live in an area that gets lots of snow. Designed to have more grip and flex in lower temperatures, winter tyres give better handling performance in snow and ice, as well as on wet roads in cold conditions. But you&rsquo;ll need to swap back to summer tyres when the weather improves, so worth considering if all-weather tyres or snow chains could be more cost effective.

Before setting off, decide if your trip is really necessary. Could you delay your journey until the worst of the snow has cleared? 
 
If you do decide to drive, remember to:

Get the most out your policy

Make sure to stay safe when you&rsquo;re driving in the winter with our top tips for travelling in rain, snow, ice and storms.

Driving in winter

If you have a teenager at home, helping them to start driving can be daunting. Whether the young driver in your life is about to start driving lessons or has just passed their practical driving test, you play a pivotal role in setting them up for success.

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There are a lot of costs to consider when buying a car, so make sure you know all the facts.

 New driver costs

Find out how our app-based telematics policy YouDrive, which has a small tab, smashes black box insurance myths and helps you save money.

Safe driving tips for snow and ice

Don't get caught out

Preparation is everything

Plan your journey

When heading out

Driving safely on snow and ice

Be road aware

Driving an automatic car in snow

Do I need winter tyres?

More top driving tips

Get the most out your policy

Driving in winter

A guide for parents of new drivers

New driver costs

Black box insurance myths and the truth about telematics