Winter driving in the UK can be a challenge even for experienced drivers. Driving in the UK during winter can see you facing a whole host of different things, from snow and ice, to long dark nights and strong winds. These elements can be difficult even for experienced drivers, so if this is your first winter on the roads, it can cause some winter driving anxiety. To help, we’ve got some great advice for winter driving with our top tips!

1. Keep your distance

Your stopping distance on snow and ice increases significantly from what it usually is, what might usually be 2 seconds can increase to you needing to leave a 10+ second gap. This means that driving too close to the person in front of you is a terrible idea because you simply won’t be able to stop in time. Make sure you keep plenty of distance between you and the car in front, and be sure to check out our braking safely blog too - it has lots of tips and tricks on improving your braking. 

2. Drive in a higher gear in snow and ice

Driving your car in a higher gear will help you to keep control. If it’s icy and you’re struggling to get started, try pulling away in second gear. This should make it easier to get you going, as pulling away in first gear on ice won’t give you as much grip.

3. Know how to use your lights and heat systems 

The winter doesn’t only see us hit with cold weather; we also see the days getting much shorter which means you’ll be using your lights much more. Before setting off on every journey, check all of your lights are working correctly, and make sure you know which lights to use when. You also need to make sure you know which heat controls to use to help de-ice the car before you set off and ensure you avoid mist building up . Driving a car in the winter without heat can be difficult, and we’re not just talking about going without the luxury of heated seats! 

4. Check your tyres

Your grip will be seriously reduced in the winter, so ensuring your tyres are in good condition is essential. Whilst law requires you to have your tread depth at a minimum of 1.6mm, grip starts to reduce on anything under 3mm, so make sure you keep an eye on your tyres and replace them if needed.

You can also get your hands on some winter tyres which, as the name suggests, will give you a better grip and traction during winter. If your budget allows this, and you’re driving regularly, it’s something that may be worth looking into.

5. Take your time

The last thing any driver wants to be is in a rush. Add in wintery conditions, and a lack of experience on the road, and waiting until the last minute to leave will cause you so much unnecessary stress. When driving in winter, you have to take your time so give yourself as much time as possible by leaving much earlier than you usually would.

6. Black ice

The two words that will strike fear into the hearts of many motorists – Black Ice! It’s invisible on the roads, but potentially deadly. It makes driving a worrying event and it’s incredibly difficult to identify and therefore, avoid.

The most obvious advice here is that if you’re driving in freezing conditions, you need to take it slow and steady and avoid doing any risky manoeuvres.

7. Recovering from a skid

If you do end up hitting some black ice, there are things you can do to recover from it.

When you lose control of the car, keep both hands on the wheel and avoid braking. You should also try to steer into the skid – this should help get you straight and back on track.

We realise in the moment of losing control of your car, you may go into a panic and forget what you need to do. Try your best to keep calm, be aware of your surroundings and use the techniques above. If you want to be as prepared as possible, why not look into taking a winter driving course? They can help you learn the skills needed for driving in winter, plus can help you with skid control. 

8. Prepare for rain, wind and fog

It’s not just snow and ice we have to deal with in the winter – heavy rain, wind and fog also make an appearance, and can make driving just as difficult. There are lots of little tips and tricks to keep in mind when driving in these conditions which you can see in our dedicated blog on driving in heavy rain. Our best tip would be to keep your speed down, keep calm and alert, and keep both of your hands on the wheel. Not only will the rain impact the road surface, but it will also affect vision. Pair this with fog and wind, and it’s a very difficult situation to manage.

9. Keep your fuel topped up

Whilst it’s not a good idea to be a bit careless when it comes to how much fuel you have in your tank at any other time of year, running out of fuel and breaking down in winter is much more hazardous in the summer. Keep your tank topped up to at least halfway so you’re not left out in the cold if you run out.

10. Carry a breakdown kit

Keeping the essentials in your car should it break down may not be a priority, but you’ll thank yourself for it if you do find yourself at the side of the road with a car that doesn’t work! Take a blanket (no car power means no heater), torch, fully charged phone, water, non-perishable snacks and any other winter driving kit essentials you think you may need if you find yourself waiting to be recovered in winter. 

We hope you’ve found these winter driving tips for UK roads helpful. Remember, if you’re not feeling confident about being behind the wheel this winter, ask a friend or family member to accompany you on a few trips first - it’ll help to build up your confidence knowing someone is there to lend a helping hand should they need to.