By RAM Tracking on 9 Dec 2025
By Michael Hoyle, Head of Account Management, RAM Tracking
Winter roads don't forgive mistakes. A gap that's fine in summer causes a collision on ice. Speed that feels safe in July gets you stuck in a ditch in January.
Your drivers face these conditions every year, but how many actually know the proper techniques? Even experienced drivers may not appreciate the difference between driving on ice versus snow or know what to do when the vehicle starts sliding.
Here's your practical winter driving checklist covering the essential safety steps that prevent accidents and keep everyone safe.
Preparation is key, so you should do some basic checks before you set off to prevent hours of problems later.
Check your visibility - Take the time to clear every window, mirror, and light properly. A small gap in the windscreen isn’t enough and can put you, and others, at risk. Snow left on the roof can blow off at speed and block the view of the driver behind, while ice on your mirrors reduces your ability to see what’s beside you. Ensuring full visibility from the start helps you drive safely and confidently.
Check your lights work - Headlights, brake lights, indicators, check all of them. Winter mornings are dark, and other drivers need to see you.
Look at your route - Check weather forecasts and traffic reports before you leave. If the Met Office says don't travel unless essential, listen to them.
Check your fuel - You need enough for your journey plus at least 50 miles extra. Getting stuck in winter traffic with an empty tank isn't just inconvenient, it's dangerous.
Getting stuck in winter weather is stressful but having the right kit makes it manageable. Make sure every vehicle carries these essentials.
Essential safety items:
Ice scraper and de-icer spray
Hi-visibility jacket (legally required)
Warning triangle
Torch with spare batteries
First aid kit
For getting unstuck:
Jump leads or portable battery pack
Tow rope
Shovel (small folding one is fine)
Old piece of carpet or sack (for grip under wheels)
In case you get stranded:
Emergency blanket or warm fleece
Bottled water
High-energy snacks (cereal bars, chocolate)
Phone charger (12v car charger AND a power bank)
Nice to have:
Gloves and spare hat
Old boots (if you need to walk for help)
Reflective blanket for windscreen (keeps ice off overnight)
Winter roads demand different techniques. What works in summer will get you in trouble when it's icy.
Slow down - Ice needs much longer stopping distances than dry roads. Cut your speed significantly in wet conditions and halve it in snow. If the road looks shiny, assume it's black ice and slow right down.
Be gentle with everything - Smooth acceleration, no wheelspin. Brake early and gently. Steer smoothly with no sudden movements. Think of winter driving like carrying a full cup of coffee, any jerky movement and it spills everywhere.
Increase your gap – When roads are wet or icy, braking distances increase significantly. That’s why it’s recommended to leave up to ten times the usual gap in these conditions.
Watch for danger spots - Bridges freeze first because cold air gets underneath them. Shaded areas stay icy longer than roads in sunlight. Wet roads that look shiny instead of dull might be black ice, so you should treat them like ice rinks.
In fog, change your approach - Use dipped headlights, as full beam just reflects back at you. Only use fog lights when you can't see 100 metres ahead. Never speed up to follow someone's taillights as you don't know if they're driving safely, and if they brake suddenly, you'll hit them.
Stay calm. Panicking makes everything worse.
If you skid: Steer gently into the direction you’re skidding in, ease off the accelerator, and don't stamp on the brakes. Harsh braking locks your wheels and makes the skid worse.
If you break down: Get to a safe place if possible and put your hazard lights on immediately. Call breakdown services and your manager and let them know exactly where you are.
If you're stuck in snow: Don't keep revving your engine, as you'll just dig yourself deeper. Try rocking gently between first gear and reverse. Put something under the wheels for grip, your floor mats or carpet from your emergency kit work well. If that doesn't work within a few minutes, ask for help rather than wearing out your clutch or getting more stuck.
Winter driving is less about worry and more about preparation. The good news? You can prevent most winter incidents with the right preparation and technology.
At RAM Tracking, we help to keep fleets safe all year round. Our RAM Live dash cams provide instant incident footage and our GPS vehicle tracking makes it easier to locate broken-down vehicles and send the right support quickly.
Ready to protect your drivers and reduce winter incidents? Get in touch with RAM Tracking today for your free no-obligation quote.
Michael Hoyle is the Head of Account Management at RAM Tracking, where he leverages over 7 years of industry experience to drive customer success and operational excellence.
With a deep understanding of job management solutions and fleet tracking technology, Michael has established himself as a trusted leader in the telematics space.
His customer-centric approach and analytical mindset have helped countless businesses optimise operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.
Trust your instincts. If you're genuinely worried about the conditions, don't drive. If you start a journey and conditions worsen, there's no shame in turning back or pulling over to wait it out.
Only if you can see the road surface and the water is no deeper than the bottom of your doors. Drive slowly through the centre (usually shallowest) in first gear, keeping engine revs up. Test your brakes gently afterwards as they won't work properly when wet.
Take your foot off the accelerator, don't brake hard, and steer gently into the direction of the skid. Don't overcorrect, small steering adjustments are better than big ones. If you have ABS brakes, you can brake firmly and steer at the same time, but if you don't have ABS, brake and steer separately.
No. Cruise control can be dangerous on wet or icy roads because if your wheels lose grip, the system will try to maintain speed by accelerating, which can cause loss of control. Keep full manual control of your vehicle in winter conditions.
Use your vehicle's demister system with the heating on full and directed at the windscreen. Don't be tempted to pour hot water on the screen because this can crack the glass. Instead, scrape ice off the outside while the inside defrosts.
While there's no specific law against it, you can be prosecuted for driving without due care if snow falls off and causes danger to other road users. You can also be fined if snow obscures your number plate or windows.
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