Before You Drive
Clear all snow and ice from your vehicle, including the roof, hood, windows, mirrors, and lights. Warm up your engine for a few minutes. Check that your tires have adequate tread and proper inflation. Keep an emergency kit in your car with blankets, a flashlight, a small shovel, sand or kitty litter for traction, and a phone charger.
Reducing Speed
Reduce your speed significantly on snow and ice. Stopping distances on ice can be 10 times longer than on dry pavement. What takes 100 feet to stop on dry road can take 1000 feet on ice. Drive well below the speed limit when roads are slippery.
Increasing Following Distance
Increase your following distance to at least 6 to 8 seconds on snowy roads and even more on icy roads. This extra space gives you more time to react and stop safely.
Black Ice
Black ice is a thin, nearly invisible layer of ice that forms on road surfaces. It is most common on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas. If you hit black ice, do not brake or steer suddenly. Ease off the gas and let the car slow down naturally. Keep the steering wheel straight until you regain traction.
Handling a Skid
If your rear wheels skid, turn the steering wheel in the direction the rear of your car is sliding. This is called steering into the skid. Do not brake hard. Ease off the gas and steer gently until you regain control. If your front wheels skid, ease off the gas and wait for the tires to regain traction before steering.
DMV Test Tips
Winter driving questions focus on reduced speed, increased following distance, how to handle skids, and black ice awareness. Remember that bridges freeze before regular road surfaces and that pumping brakes is only needed for vehicles without ABS.