Driving in Snow and Icy Conditions

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Before Driving

• ​Make sure car brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, and heater are in excellent condition.
  
• Check car antifreeze. Add special solvent to your windshield washer reservoir to prevent freezing.
• Check tires. Make sure they are properly inflated, and the tread is in good condition.
  
• Snow chains: Always carry snow chains (required by law while driving on California mountain roads and highways). Make sure they are the correct size for your tires and in good condition. Keep a flashlight, flares, and chain repair links in car. Chains must be installed on the drive wheels. Make sure you know if your vehicle is front or rear wheel drive-if not sure, check your car’s owner’s manual. After purchasing new chains, try them on your vehicle at home before you leave so you can practice how to install them and make sure they will fit your tries properly. Check Cal Trans Chain Control (see following section). 
• Other suggested items to carry in your car are gloves, an ice scraper or commercial de-icer, a broom for brushing snow off your car, a shovel to free your car if it is "snowed in, and a towel. If your tires get stuck in the snow, put sand, tree branches, etc. under your tires for traction.
• Carry food, water, warm blankets and extra clothing in case your vehicle becomes stranded in the snow for a longer period of time.
• Check road conditions before leaving by contacting your local highway or state police. In California call Caltrans Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 800-427-7623. Save road condition contact number in your mobile phone. However, remember mobile coverage can be limited in mountain areas. However, Call Boxes are also available on the highway network. ​

These recommendations are primarily for driving on California mountain roads. These however can be helpful to other states as well. Check with your State police or highway patrol for specific requirements in your state. For additional general winter driving tips visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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During Driving

General Tips

• Allow time. Mountain trips take longer during winter than other times of the year, especially with snow or ice.
• Keep gas tank full. Your car uses more gas driving uphill.
• Keep windshield and windows clear. Stop at a safe turnout-us use a snow brush or scraper. Use the car defroster and clean cloth to keep the windows free of fog.
  
• Be aware that ice and black ice can accumulate on and below bridges, turns and sudden shaded steep grades and inclines. Therefore, it is important to let off the gas and coast into these to prevent loss of control.
  

• Slow down. Posted speed limits are safe in dry weather but not in snow and ice where stopping distances are much longer, even with an all-wheel vehicle with snow tires. Allow more time and more distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. See "Maneuvering" below.
• Be observant. Visibility is often limited in snow and icy conditions making it difficult to see stopped vehicles or snowplows.
• When making a lane change and snow or ice is between lanes take foot of gas pedal and coast over. NEVER cross at a high speed or use brakes when crossing or this will cause loss of control.

Practice:

• If possible, practice driving slowly during the day on a flat and empty parking lot.
  
• Determine if you have antilock braking system (ABS) or non-antilock braking system.
• With ABS system practice by stomping on the brakes.
• With non-ABS practice by pumping the brakes very lightly.

Maneuvering:
Stopping distances are much longer on snow- and ice-covered roads. This is why it is important to keep speeds much slower to allow your vehicle to coast and slow down before going into a turn. Remember the best way to prevent losing control and having your vehicle fishtail and skid is to drive slower.

• If your vehicle does start to slide or skid, first, take your foot off the gas and COAST. If you slide or skid, steer into the direction of the slide or skid.
• NEVER apply your brakes if your car starts to slide, skid or if you have to stop fast. Do not step on the gas either.
• Because brakes are often not helpful, with sudden stops, skids or slides on ice and snow, the driver must always drive at a slower speed and allow much more time to slow down without braking.

Stranded:
If you become stranded, do not idle for long periods of time with the windows up or in an enclosed area due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Stay inside your car.
  
• Do not overexert yourself.
• Place bright markers on windows or antenna to alert authorities driving by of occupants stranded in vehicle.
  
• If you keep your car motor running, make sure the exhaust pipe in clear of snow and only keep engine running enough to keep warm.

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Chain Control

• You must stop and put snow chains on your tires when highway signs say “chains required” or you risk being fined by the California Highway Patrol or being told to turn around.
  
• When finding a place to put on chains, do not stop in a traffic lane where you will endanger yourself and block traffic wait until you can pull completely off the roadway to the right, usually at chain pullout locations.
  
• The speed limit when chains are required is 25 or 30 miles an hour.
  
• If you use the services of a chain installer, always get a receipt and write the installer's badge number on it. Remember, chain installers are independent workers, not Caltrans employees. Chain installers are NOT allowed to sell or rent chains.
• During your return drive home, once you pass the "End of Chain Control" sign, you can park off the road to a safe area to remove them.

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At your Destination

Parking Your Vehicle

• Before parking your vehicle be aware of "No Parking on Snow Emergency Routes", snowplow routes or other no parking locations during snow conditions.
  
• Be aware of where you park your vehicle to make sure it does not become buried from snow plowing.
  
• Lift front windshield and rear wipers up away from the glass to prevent them from freezing to the window.

Returning To Your Vehicle

• Use broom to push snow off the hood, roof, all windows, license plates and all lights of your vehicle (NEVER drive with a snow-covered car. It is a hazard, and you can be ticketed).
  
• Clean snow and ice from under the tire wells. Snow and ice can block the wheel when making a turn. So clean before you drive.
• Use ice scraper to scrape ice off all windows of your vehicle for visibility
  
• Clean snow and ice off front windshield and rear wipers and place them back onto the window. 

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Winter Sports Safety

Winter Clothing Layers

Sledding and Snow Play

Thin Ice Danger