Trucking 101: 10 winter-driving reminders for running in snow and ice
As winter weather settles in, safe operation comes down to basics: being seen, keeping traction, and giving yourself time and space to react. Safety advisors and instructors continue to emphasize that professional drivers should treat snow and ice as a different roadway, not just a slower version of a dry one.
Visibility and secure footing are the first problems to solve before the wheels ever turn. Lights and reflectors are especially important in winter driving, when snowfall and road spray can quickly hide a truck. Drivers are also advised to ensure windows and mirrors stay clear, and to remove ice and snow from handholds, steps, and deck plates to reduce slip-and-fall risk during inspections and enroute stops.
Once rolling, one theme shows up repeatedly: reduce speed significantly and avoid anything that upsets traction. That includes skipping cruise control on slippery roads and making all inputs—acceleration, braking, and steering—smooth and gentle to prevent a sudden loss of stability. Sudden changes in direction, especially while turning, can break traction quickly on snow and ice.
Following distance is another consistent priority. Guidance shared in winter-driving tips recommends maintaining a safe distance of about six to 10 car lengths, or roughly double the normal following distance. Snow, ice, and rain can dramatically increase stopping distance, and extra space provides time to respond if traffic ahead stops, slides, or becomes involved in an emergency.
Drivers also need to account for the equipment working to keep roads open. Snowplows should be given plenty of space, and guidance warns drivers never to pass them on the right, where wing plows can extend more than eight feet from the front edge of the truck. Another recommendation is to maintain at least 5–6 car lengths behind plows.
- Clear all snow and ice from the windscreen, windows, mirrors, and lights before setting off.
- Check lights and reflectors frequently; road spray can quickly reduce visibility to others.
- Remove snow and ice from handholds, steps, and deck plates to reduce fall hazards.
- Reduce speeds significantly in snow and ice conditions.
- Do not use cruise control on slippery roads.
- Maintain longer following distances—about six to 10 car lengths, or double normal spacing.
- Be gentle with acceleration, braking, and steering to preserve traction.
- Watch for snowplows; keep at least 5–6 car lengths back.
- Never pass a snowplow on the right due to wing plows that can extend more than eight feet.
- If you get stuck, move off the road if possible and stay inside if it’s safe; use emergency flashers, add bright color to the antenna or raise the hood, and clear snow from the exhaust pipe.
Skid recovery advice included in the guidance is straightforward: if a vehicle begins to skid, steer in the direction you want it to go. That technique is often paired with the broader reminder that traction is limited in winter conditions, and the safest approach is to avoid abrupt maneuvers that trigger the skid in the first place.
Equipment also matters. Winter tires referenced in the guidance should display the M+S (Mud and Snow) marking or the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, and meet a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm. The same guidance notes that quality matters, since meeting a minimum standard does not automatically translate into strong real-world winter performance.
One reason these reminders get repeated each year is experience levels vary widely. Some drivers come from climates with little exposure to snow, ice, and extreme cold. Instructors and safety presenters say consistent habits—visibility checks, conservative speeds, extra following distance, and controlled inputs—remain the foundation for staying safe when winter conditions hit.