Check the forecast and road status before setting off, then adjust the route to avoid exposed bridges, steep hills, and flood-prone lanes. Use official updates from the Met Office and live incident reports from National Highways to plan realistic journey times. Allow extra time for diversions and slower traffic, especially during high winds or heavy rain. If conditions look severe, postpone travel where possible.
Prepare the vehicle to suit the weather. Confirm that tyres have safe tread depth and correct pressure, since both affect grip and braking. Top up screenwash with a winter-rated mix, then check wiper blades for smearing. Test lights, including fog lights, so other road users can see the vehicle clearly. Verify that the battery starts strongly, as cold weather reduces performance.
Pack for delays. Keep a charged phone, warm layers, drinking water, and a torch within reach. In winter, carry an ice scraper and de-icer, plus a small shovel if snow is likely. Before moving off, clear all windows, mirrors, lights, and the roof, since loose snow and ice can fall and obstruct other drivers.
Heavy rain reduces visibility and grip, so lower speed early and increase the gap to the vehicle ahead. Use dipped headlights to help other road users see the vehicle, and select a steady wiper speed that keeps the windscreen clear without distraction. Avoid harsh steering, braking, or acceleration, since sudden inputs can trigger a skid on wet tarmac.
Standing water presents a separate risk. If a puddle looks deep or spans the full lane, treat the area as flooded and choose an alternative route. When safe passage exists, approach slowly in a low gear and keep engine revs consistent to limit water entering the exhaust. Maintain a straight line and avoid changing lanes through surface water, as deeper ruts can pull the steering.
Watch for spray from larger vehicles, which can cause brief white-out conditions. If aquaplaning occurs, ease off the accelerator, keep the steering pointed where the vehicle should go, and avoid braking until grip returns. After clearing water, test the brakes gently to dry the discs and confirm normal response before resuming speed.
Snow and ice reduce tyre grip and lengthen stopping distances. Black ice presents a higher risk because it often looks like wet tarmac and forms in shaded areas, on bridges, and near verges. Treat any glossy, dark patch as potentially icy, even when the air temperature sits above freezing.
If the vehicle starts to skid, stay calm and avoid sudden inputs. Ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly in the direction the front wheels need to travel. When the vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS), apply firm, steady pressure and let the system manage wheel lock. Without ABS, brake gently and release pressure if the wheels lock.
On suspected black ice, avoid braking or sharp steering. Instead, lift off the accelerator and allow speed to fall gradually. Keep a steady line and leave extra space around other road users, since a small slide can become a larger loss of control if the tyres regain grip suddenly.
“Stopping distances can be ten times longer in icy conditions.” GOV.UK winter driving guidance
If conditions worsen, choose a safer place to stop rather than pressing on. Use a well-lit car park or a service area, and avoid stopping on hard shoulders except in an emergency.
Fog and mist can cut visibility to a few car lengths, so adjust driving to what can be seen ahead, not to the posted limit. Slow down early and keep a larger gap to the vehicle in front, since stopping distances rise when the road surface stays damp. Use dipped headlights so other road users can see the vehicle; avoid full beam because the light reflects back from water droplets and worsens glare. If the vehicle has front and rear fog lights, switch them on only when visibility drops below about 100 metres, then turn them off as soon as conditions improve to avoid dazzling drivers behind.
Maintain clear windows and mirrors. Set the ventilation to demist and use air conditioning if fitted, as it removes moisture from the cabin air. Follow road markings and reflective posts to hold a steady position, and take extra care at junctions where cyclists and pedestrians may appear late. If visibility becomes too poor to continue safely, leave the road at the next suitable exit and stop in a safe place off the carriageway. Avoid stopping on the hard shoulder except in an emergency, in line with guidance from National Highways.
High winds can push a vehicle off line, especially on motorways, viaducts, open moorland routes, and coastal roads. Gusts often arrive in bursts when the road leaves a sheltered cutting, passes a gap in trees, or crosses an exposed bridge. Expect sudden steering corrections and plan for them early.
Reduce speed before reaching exposed sections and keep both hands on the steering wheel. Maintain a wider safety margin from vehicles alongside, since a gust can move either vehicle across a lane. Leave extra space behind high-sided vehicles, such as lorries, coaches, and caravans. Turbulence around those vehicles can create a strong “buffeting” effect, then a sharp sideways pull as the vehicle clears the wind shadow.
Watch for debris, such as branches, and for temporary restrictions on bridges. If warning signs advise reduced speed, follow them. When conditions worsen, consider leaving the motorway at the next suitable junction and waiting in a safe place. Check live updates from National Highways and weather warnings from the Met Office before continuing.
If the vehicle begins to drift, ease off the accelerator and steer gently back to line. Avoid sharp corrections, since oversteer can lead to a loss of control. Drivers towing trailers should reduce speed earlier than usual and stop if snaking starts, as strong crosswinds can make towing unsafe.
Heatwaves change how a vehicle and the road behave. High temperatures can raise tyre pressures and soften tarmac, which reduces grip and can increase stopping distances. Check tyre pressures when the tyres are cold and follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended figures, not the maximum shown on the tyre sidewall. During long journeys, plan short breaks to reduce driver fatigue and to allow the vehicle to cool, especially if the temperature gauge rises or the air conditioning struggles.
Soft tarmac creates a separate hazard. On very hot days, heavy vehicles can leave ruts that pull steering off line, particularly at junctions and on slow-moving urban roads. Keep speed steady, hold a relaxed but firm grip on the wheel, and avoid sharp steering inputs that can unsettle the tyres. Leave a larger gap to the vehicle ahead, since braking hard on softened surfaces can trigger a skid.
Watch for warning signs and temporary speed limits during extreme heat. National Highways may impose restrictions to protect road surfaces and manage incidents. If the road looks shiny, rippled, or patched with fresh material, treat the surface as low grip and reduce speed early.
Thunderstorms can change road conditions in minutes. At the first sign of intense rain, thunder, or frequent lightning, reduce speed and avoid overtaking, since sudden gusts and spray can unsettle the vehicle. Keep both hands on the wheel and watch for debris, such as branches, that can fall without warning.
Hail creates a layer of ice-like pellets that sharply reduces grip. If hail begins to fall heavily, slow down smoothly and increase the space around the vehicle. Avoid hard braking and sharp steering, since hail can behave like ball bearings under the tyres. When visibility drops, use dipped headlights and follow the road edge markings rather than the brake lights ahead.
Flash flooding presents the highest risk because water depth and flow can be hard to judge. Do not enter floodwater if the kerb disappears or the water moves quickly across the road. Turn around and choose a safer route, using updates from the Met Office and local alerts where available. If water rises around the wheels, leave the vehicle only if it is safe to do so and move to higher ground. Never drive through water near bridges, fords, or underpasses, since the road surface may be damaged or missing.
After severe weather, complete a short check before setting off again. Walk around the vehicle and remove any packed snow, mud, or leaves from lights, number plates, mirrors, and the roof, since loose debris can fall onto the windscreen or into traffic. Inspect tyres for cuts, bulges, or trapped stones, then confirm tread depth and pressure. Test brakes at low speed in a safe place, as standing water and grit can reduce braking performance for the first few applications. Check wipers and washer fluid, because spray and road salt can quickly obscure the windscreen.
Delay travel when conditions exceed safe limits for the route or the vehicle. Do not drive through floodwater, as depth and current can change without warning and water can damage the engine and electrics. Postpone a journey if strong winds make it hard to hold a steady line, if visibility drops so far that safe stopping distance is not available, or if official warnings advise against travel. Consult live updates from the Met Office and check incident reports via National Highways before committing to longer trips.
Do I need different tyres for winter driving?
Winter tyres can improve grip and braking in cold weather, because the rubber stays flexible at low temperatures. Fit them when temperatures often fall below 7°C, even if snow is rare. If winter tyres do not suit your area, check tread depth and pressures. Tyre safety guidance sits on the GOV.UK vehicle safety pages.
When should I use fog lights?
Use front and rear fog lights only when visibility drops below 100 metres. Switch them off once visibility improves, since rear fog lights can dazzle drivers behind and mask brake lights. Dipped headlights suit most misty conditions.
Is it safe to drive through standing water?
Avoid it where possible, as water can hide potholes, debris, or deeper channels. If a safe alternative route exists, take it. When you must proceed, keep speed very low, hold steady engine revs, and test the brakes gently once clear. If water reaches the wheel centre or the vehicle starts to float, turn back when safe.
What should I do if my vehicle starts to skid?
Ease off the accelerator and avoid harsh braking. Steer smoothly towards where you want the front of the vehicle to go, then wait for grip to return. With anti-lock braking (ABS), press the brake firmly and hold steady pressure. Without ABS, brake gently to reduce wheel lock.
How can I reduce glare at night in rain or fog?
Clean the windscreen inside and out, since a thin film can scatter light. Replace worn wiper blades and top up screenwash. Use the demister early to keep glass clear, and dip the rear-view mirror if glare distracts you.
When should I delay or cancel a journey?
Postpone travel when official warnings advise against driving, when routes flood repeatedly, or when visibility and traction prevent safe stopping within the distance you can see. Check local updates from the Met Office before setting off.
