Every year, icy or snowy roads cause 24% of weather-related crashes. These crashes kill over 1,300 people and injure 116,800 annually. If these stats aren't nerve-wracking enough, icy roads can be hard to identify while you're driving. But, with updated vehicle technology and the proper techniques and tools, you can safely navigate icy roads.
Why Are Icy Roads Dangerous?
Snow can be slippery, but its crumbly texture at least gives your tires a chance at gripping onto something for traction. Ice, on the other hand, is so slick that your tire treads have nothing to hold on to, and that near-zero friction makes it nearly impossible to stop. This makes a bad situation even harder to handle.
Nowadays, more and more drivers are seeing icy conditions due to climate change. New Orleans saw snowy and icy conditions for the first time in 15 years in 2025. The storm extended into parts of Texas, which has been seeing more and more icy conditions over the past few years.
Essential Tips for Driving on Ice
Now that you know why driving on icy roads can be dangerous, learn how to recognize the hazards and how to react to them with these winter driving tips.
Recognizing Black Ice and Other Hazards
The most dangerous road ice is black ice, which is invisible to the naked eye. Black ice typically forms at night or very early in the morning when temperatures are at their lowest, so be cautious when traveling during those times. It most often appears in shaded areas or on overpasses and bridges.
Always check your car's outdoor temperature reading or use a weather app to see if the temperature is at or below freezing in your area.
Braking and Vehicle Control on Ice
When you’re being cautious on a slippery road, hitting the brakes is tempting. Unfortunately, braking can send your car into a skid. Instead, try shifting into a low gear to help you slow down. This is especially helpful when you're going downhill.
Modern cars have both anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC). ABS prevents your wheels from locking up, letting you steer through a skid. ESC works in tandem with the ABS by reducing engine power and applying brakes to spinning wheels to maintain traction.
Understanding and Using Skid Recovery Techniques
Steering into a skid is an important technique to learn. It'll reduce the likelihood of an accident if you hit a patch of ice. Follow these steps if you start to skid:
Take your foot off of the accelerator and brake pedals.
Focus on the direction you want your car to go.
Slowly turn the wheel in that direction, while avoiding oversteering.
Once your car is under control, slowly straighten out the wheel.
Adjusting Your Speed and Distance
When you're driving in wintery conditions, slow down to a speed you feel comfortable with in your current conditions. Increase your following distance from 3 seconds to at least 5-6 seconds so you can safely react to the vehicle in front of you. Avoid using cruise control in slick conditions. It can cause your car to keep its speed when you encounter a patch of ice.
Choosing the Right Tires
Where you live determines what kind of tires you'll need for the winter. If you live in a climate that only sees a few snow flurries every year, all-season tires are your best bet. If you live in a winter wonderland, snow tires are the way to go. Snow tires have deeper, more aggressive treads to reduce snow buildup and increase traction. They are also made of a type of rubber that grips better in cold temperatures.
Avoid self-sealing or run-flat tires, as they aren't designed for use in cold temperatures. If you live in a mountainous region, keep a set of tire chains in your car and know how to use them when required.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Considerations for Icy Driving
EVs are becoming more and more popular, but the cold affects EV batteries. Studies show that EVs can lose up to 25% of their range if it's cold out. If you own one, remember these tips for EV winter driving safety:
Preheat your EV — Let your EV warm up while it's still plugged in. You'll waste less energy on heating the car. Take advantage of departure scheduling if you have it, the battery will still be warm and ready from charging.
Use All Heating Options — If your EV has heated seats or a steering wheel, rely on these more than cabin heat. They use your power more efficiently compared to heating the air.
Practice Efficient Driving — By slowing down and lightening your load, you'll extend your range. Take advantage of your regenerative braking system and coast when you can to restore some charge.
Emergency Preparedness for Winter Driving
You should always have an emergency kit in your vehicle, and the wintertime is no exception. Your winter kit should include:
Extra vehicle fluids
Water
Snacks
Clothing
Battery jump starter (which doubles as a phone charger)
Traction mats
A warm blanket
Gloves and boots
Stay Safe on Icy Roads
Now that you know how to stay safe on icy roads by identifying icy conditions and how to react to them, take your skills a step further. Sign up for a driver's ed course at Aceable.com to learn more winter driving techniques along with the rules of the road, entirely online at your own pace.
Updated 02/12/2025