When visibility drops, your driving risks rise. Learn how to drive safely in poor visibility conditions like rain, fog, snow and sun glare.
Car Safety
Snow driving tips: how to drive safely on icy roads
Learn how to drive safely in snow and icy conditions with practical winter driving tips, including snow chains, braking, skidding and alpine road safety advice.
Snow-covered roads, black ice and freezing temperatures can quickly turn an ordinary drive into a hazardous one. Whether you're heading to Victoria's alpine regions for a ski trip or travelling interstate during winter, driving in snow and icy conditions requires extra preparation, patience and caution.
Even experienced drivers can struggle when roads become slippery and visibility drops. Understanding how your vehicle behaves in cold conditions, and knowing how to respond if things go wrong, can help reduce the risk of accidents and breakdowns.
Here's how to stay safer when driving in snow and on icy roads in Australia.
If you have an RACV Emergency Roadside Assistance plan, you can call or request help in the RACV App.
Why snow and ice make driving dangerous
Snow and ice dramatically reduce tyre grip, making it harder for your vehicle to accelerate, steer and brake. Ice can be particularly dangerous because it's often difficult to see - especially in shaded areas, on bridges and early in the morning.
Cold weather can also affect your vehicle's battery, tyre pressure, visibility systems and braking performance. Combined with reduced daylight, fog and wet conditions, winter driving can become unpredictable very quickly.
Driving to alpine areas can be fraught, with snow and fog causing poor visibility and dangerous conditions. Image: Getty
How to prepare your car for snow driving
Before heading into alpine areas or icy regions, make sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving conditions.
Get your car serviced
Get your car serviced: During your car service make sure the mechanic checks your tyres, brakes, battery, engine, windscreen and fluids.
Tell your mechanic if you plan to drive in alpine areas over winter, and ask if your current coolant needs to be replaced with a stronger mix of antifreeze. You can also ask for washer fluid suitable for cold temperatures, to help prevent freezing and improve visibility.
Test your battery
Cold weather puts additional strain on car batteries. If your battery is older or showing signs of weakness, have it tested before travelling. A flat battery in freezing conditions can quickly become more than just an inconvenience.
Ensure lights, wipers and climate control work properly
Winter weather often brings fog, sleet, rain and snow, so visibility is essential. Check all lights are working and replace worn windscreen wipers before your trip. Clean headlights regularly during snowy or muddy conditions to maximise visibility.
Make sure your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are working. You need the heater to keep everyone warm, and the air conditioner to demist the windscreen and ensure you have clear visibility on those challenging alpine roads.
Do you know the Victorian rules for using fog lights, headlights and driving lights?
Check your tyres
Tyres are critical for maintaining grip on slippery roads. Inspect tyre tread depth and ensure your tyres are inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure.
Worn tyres significantly reduce traction in snow and rain. If you regularly travel to alpine areas, consider winter tyres or all-terrain tyres designed for colder conditions.
More detail: Tyre maintenance, roadworthy checks and when to replace them
Update your roadside assistance
Don't forget to organise or update your emergency roadside assistance plan before you leave. RACV Emergency Roadside Assistance is available 24/7 Australia-wide.
If you need help, call 13 11 11 or use the RACV app to request help and track the assigned patrol van.
Fill up on alpine diesel (for diesel vehicles)
Diesel vehicles must refuel with an alpine diesel mix before driving in snow and icy conditions. This is because ordinary diesel thickens in sub-zero temperatures.
Alpine diesel mix is usually available at service stations near alpine areas during winter months.
Have your car serviced with fluids topped up before driving to the snow. Image: Getty
Plan ahead before driving in snow
Preparation is one of the best ways to improve safety during winter travel.
Check weather and road conditions
Conditions in alpine regions can change rapidly. Check forecasts, road closures and snow reports before leaving.
In Victoria, agencies such as VicRoads and alpine resort websites regularly update road and chain requirements during winter.
Avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather warnings or blizzard conditions.
Allow extra travel time
Driving in snow and ice takes longer than normal. Rushing increases the risk of losing control or making sudden movements. Leave earlier than usual and expect delays around snowfields during peak ski season.
Pack sunglasses and a car emergency kit
Snow glare can reduce your visibility and cause fatigue, so pop your sunglasses on when driving in bright, snowy conditions.
You should also prepare a car safety and emergency kit that includes a mobile phone with charger, water and non-perishable food, jumper leads, high-vis vest, a spare roadworthy tyre, a first-aid kit and a torch with spare batteries (so you don't have to rely on your phone torch and drain the battery).
Carry snow chains
In many Australian alpine regions, snow chains (wheel chains) are mandatory during winter, even for 4WD and AWD vehicles. This includes all vehicles entering alpine resorts in Victoria. Most resorts further specify that diamond-pattern snow chains must be used.
Practice fitting them before your trip so you're not learning in freezing conditions on the side of the road.
Store chains somewhere easily accessible in your vehicle and check they're the correct size for your tyres. Pack a tarpaulin to keep you clean and dry, as you may have to fit the chains when the ground is slushy or muddy.
How do snow chains work?
Snow chains work by increasing the traction between your tyres and the road surface, which is typically more slippery during snowy and icy conditions.
Where can I buy snow chains?
Snow chains can be bought from snow sport and auto retailers. They can also be hired from businesses in towns on the way to alpine resorts, such as Bright before Mount Hotham and Marysville for Lake Mountain.
Consult your vehicle owner's manual before purchasing or hiring chains, as not all chains fit all wheels and incorrectly fitted chains can damage your tyre's wheel arches. A small number of cars cannot fit snow chains at all – these vehicles will generally be prohibited from entering the alpine resorts.
How do I fit snow chains to my car?
Some snow chain hire businesses will fit your chains for you.
Otherwise, attach the snow chains while your vehicle is parked on level ground. Alpine resorts usually have designated chain-fitting bays for this purpose.
Attach the chains to your vehicle's drive wheels, which are the wheels connected to the engine or engine motors. Having a torch, plastic bag and pair of gloves handy can also help when fitting.
This means front wheels for a FWD, back wheels for a RWD, and either front or back wheels for 4WD and AWD vehicles, depending on the vehicle's power distribution.
How to drive with snow chains
Drive slowly and carefully while your chains are attached, avoiding sudden braking or turning. It's best to keep your speed between 30km and 50km and avoid large puddles where possible. If the chains slip or fall off while driving, pull over where safe to do so and check for damage before refitting the chains.
Remove the chains in a safe location once they are no longer required. Driving on dry roads with your chains on can be both dangerous and cause damage to your chains, tyres and the road surface.
Be aware that RWD vehicles do not perform as well in snow because they are more likely to lose traction.
You must carry wheel chains suitable for your vehicle during the snow season and know how to fit them. Image: Getty
How to drive safely on snowy or icy roads
Once you're on the road, smooth and gentle driving is key.
Warm up your car and remove any ice
Before you depart, make sure all cameras and sensors are clean and free from ice and dirt to ensure driver assistance systems operate correctly.
Remove ice from your windscreen with an ice scraper. Do not use a metal blade, as this will scratch the glass.
To demist the front windscreen, use the car's heater and fan at the same time as the air conditioner.
If you have an electric vehicle (EV), pre-warm the car while it is still charging so that you don't deplete the battery by starting the heating when you start driving. This will help to maximise your range.
Reduce your speed
Driving too fast for conditions is one of the biggest causes of winter crashes. Speed limits are designed for ideal conditions, not icy roads. If you travel too fast, the wheels could lose traction and you could lose control of the vehicle.
Slow down well below the posted limit when roads are slippery. Operate your vehicle slowly and smoothly with gentle acceleration and braking.
Increase following distance
Stopping distances increase dramatically on snow and ice. Leave at least six to 10 seconds between you and the vehicle ahead. This gives you more time to react if traffic suddenly slows or another driver loses control.
Accelerate and brake gently
Sudden acceleration, harsh braking or aggressive steering can cause tyres to lose grip. Instead:
- accelerate slowly
- brake progressively and gently
- avoid braking on corners: slow down while your vehicle's wheels are straight
- make smooth steering movements.
Modern vehicles with electronic stability control and anti-lock braking systems can help, but they can't overcome excessive speed or abrupt inputs.
Avoid using cruise control
Cruise control can reduce your ability to react quickly on slippery roads. Maintain full control of your speed manually when driving in winter conditions.
Use lower gears downhill
When descending steep or icy roads, use lower gears to help control your speed and reduce reliance on brakes. Excessive braking on slippery descents can cause wheels to lock or slide.
Use your fog lights
Avoid using your high beams, as they can make visibility worse in snowy or foggy conditions. If your car doesn't have fog lights, use the hazard lights with the headlights on low beam.
Be careful near bridges and shaded areas
Bridges, overpasses and shaded roads freeze faster than other surfaces. Black ice is especially common in these areas. If the road looks glossy or wet in freezing conditions, treat it as potentially icy.
Knowing how to drive in snow and icy conditions will help you reach your destination safely and enjoy your time on the ski fields. Image: Getty
What is black ice?
Black ice is an invisible layer of ice that forms on roads and can cause vehicles to slide, spin or skid. Because the road looks normal, motorists may not be aware of the hazard.
Black ice can occur on any road given the right conditions, not just in alpine areas. Temperatures at or below freezing combined with precipitation (rain, sleet snow or even mist) increase the possibility of encountering black ice while driving.
Driving slowly is one of the best ways to avoid your vehicle sliding in these conditions. If possible, avoid driving if freezing conditions are forecast.
What to do if your car skids on ice
If your vehicle begins to skid, stay calm and avoid sudden reactions. The best way to regain control is to:
- avoid hitting the brakes - this could lock the wheels and make the situation worse.
- ease off the accelerator - the key is to keep all motions gentle and fluid.
- look where you want to go - keep your eyes focused on the direction of the road.
- gently steer your front wheels in the direction the vehicle is sliding - for instance, if the back of the car slides to the left, gently turn the wheel to the left.
- straighten the steering wheel - the amount you need to turn your wheel is proportional to how far and how fast your vehicle is sliding.
- adjust accordingly - be aware that the car may now slide to the right and you'll need to gently turn the wheel to the right. This swaying may occur several times before you regain control.
What modern car technologies can enhance safety when driving on black ice and icy roads?
Navigating black ice can be a daunting task for drivers, but modern car technologies can help make it safer. Anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control are the key innovations that help drivers maintain control on icy roads. These systems are equipped with sensors that detect when a wheel is losing traction and automatically adjust braking or engine power to prevent skidding.
If you're leaving your car parked in an alpine area, lift up your wipers to stop them freezing to the windscreen. Image: Getty
How to park in snow and icy conditions
Protect your car against freezing conditions with these preventative measures:
- Park in the sun - if you're a day-tripper, park in a sunny area (if possible) to prevent ice build-up.
- No handbrake - moisture can freeze the cables and brake linings. Leave the car in gear and turn the front wheels away from a slope.
- Use rubber wheel chocks - invest in a set of rubber wheel chocks to stop the vehicle moving. Wooden chocks can slip on icy surfaces and rocks may cause damage.
- Lift your wipers - move the windscreen wipers away from the windscreen or cover them in plastic to prevent them sticking to the windscreen.
Know when not to drive
Sometimes the safest option is delaying your trip altogether. If roads are heavily iced, visibility is extremely poor or authorities advise against travel, wait until conditions improve.
If you decide to drive and it becomes hard to see the edges of the road, pull over somewhere safe until conditions improve.
No destination is worth risking your safety.
