As an advanced driver of some years and a worker in the driving training and assessment industry for 20 plus years I think it is safe to say I know a bit about driving.

Here are some tips for driving in winter weather.

Drive slowly and allow more time (Obvious I know)

Try to avoid stopping at junctions, traffic lights etc. Start braking gently and earlier than normal and keep the car rolling however slowly. Getting the car moving again is harder than keeping it moving. That’s inertia messing with you. You just learnt some science.

Consider moving away in a higher gear than normal and slip the clutch if you can. This won’t always work, but is worth a try. You are less likely to spin the wheels in a higher gear.

If you are spinning your wheels by the way, stop. You are going nowhere, wasting fuel, wearing out your car and tyres and you look like a dick. If the snow is deep you are also digging a deeper hole to get out of. Try applying the gas and then coming off and reapplying it, over and over to get the car rocking in the hole that your vehicle is stuck in.

On approach to a hill wait until the vehicle in front has cleared the hill before you set off. There is nothing scarier than being part of the way up a hill and seeing a vehicle coming down the hill sideways towards you.

Make sure that your vehicle is in the best condition possible, turn down your music to concentrate on what you are doing.

If you do not need to drive, don’t.

Stop tailgating the car in front. In ice and snow your braking distance is up to ten times more than normal conditions. Yes Audi drivers, I mean you. Your car may have 4 wheel drive but it still only has 4 wheel brakes like the rest of us. Oh, and your 4 wheel drive system makes your car weight more, meaning that it is harder to stop.

Brake gently and try to brake progressively. Don’t panic if your ABS kicks in, it mistakes the wheels moving at different speeds as skidding, just lightly take your foot off the brake and re apply.

Drive defensively.

Be safe.

I am sure that you are a fantastic driver, everyone thinks that they are, but in bad weather leave your ego on the shelf at home and live to drive another day eh?

Additional bit following a suggestion from BlueSky*. Please make sure that if there is snow covering your car that you remove as much of it as possible. Otherwise it falls off in chunks and causes chaos behind you.

When it comes to clearing the windows of the vehicle, never leave the car running and go back inside. Firstly it’s illegal in the UK, and secondly a good way to get your car stolen.

You can use tepid water to clear ice but it is strongly advised against. You wouldn’t want to crack your windscreen, or make one that is already there worse. When you pour water over the windscreen the water falls to the floor and refreezes during the day. Congratulations! You have installed your own skating rink.

If you live in an area where you share wher you park your car with other road users definitely stop this. It makes it bloody lethal to walk on.

*Thank you to https://bsky.app/profile/ladysixa.bsky.social