How to drive on snow and ice
To drive in snow, clear every window, the lights and the roof before you set off, then drive as if there were an egg under each pedal: gentle on the gas, gentle on the brakes, smooth on the wheel. Leave far more space than usual. If the rear slides, ease off the gas and steer where you want the front to go.
You wake up to fresh snow and still have to get to work.
Why it matters: Most winter crashes come from speed and sudden inputs, both of which you control.
Steps
- Check the forecast and road reports, and delay the trip if you can.
- Clear snow and ice from every window, mirror, light and the roof before driving.
- Pull away slowly in a low gear and accelerate gently.
- Leave far more room than usual to the car ahead, since stopping takes much longer.
- Brake early and gently; with anti-lock brakes, press firmly and let them pulse.
- Treat bridges, overpasses and shaded spots as icy even when the road looks clear.
- If the back of the car slides, ease off the gas and steer gently toward where you want the front to go.
- If you get stuck or stranded, stay with the car, keep the tailpipe clear of snow and run the engine only in short spells.
Stop and call a professional if
- you are stranded, in a crash or someone is hurt: call 911 and stay in the car with hazards on unless it is unsafe
- the car pulls, the brakes feel different, or a warning light comes on after sliding into a curb: have a mechanic check it
Common mistakes
- Clearing only a patch of the windshield.
- Braking hard in a skid.
- Trusting all-wheel drive to help you stop.
- Using cruise control on slick roads.
Teach this to someone
A one page sheet for showing a friend, a teenager or a parent: what to say, what to show, and one question to check it landed.
Teach: How to drive on snow and ice
What to say
To drive in snow, clear every window, the lights and the roof before you set off, then drive as if there were an egg under each pedal: gentle on the gas, gentle on the brakes, smooth on the wheel. Leave far more space than usual. If the rear slides, ease off the gas and steer where you want the front to go.
What to show
- Check the forecast and road reports, and delay the trip if you can.
- Clear snow and ice from every window, mirror, light and the roof before driving.
- Pull away slowly in a low gear and accelerate gently.
- Leave far more room than usual to the car ahead, since stopping takes much longer.
- Brake early and gently; with anti-lock brakes, press firmly and let them pulse.
- Treat bridges, overpasses and shaded spots as icy even when the road looks clear.
- If the back of the car slides, ease off the gas and steer gently toward where you want the front to go.
- If you get stuck or stranded, stay with the car, keep the tailpipe clear of snow and run the engine only in short spells.
Where it stops
Stop and call a professional if you are stranded, in a crash or someone is hurt: call 911 and stay in the car with hazards on unless it is unsafe.
Check question
The back of the car starts to slide. What do you do?
Answer: Ease off the gas and steer toward where you want the front to go. Gentle inputs let the tires grip again.
Your checklist
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Quick quiz
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Related skills
Sources
- US national highway traffic safety guidance for drivers, 2026. Reviewed September 28, 2026.
Written in our own words from the sources above. It is general information, not advice for your situation; where a professional, your doctor or your lease says something different, follow them.
Last reviewed . First published .