<div><main data-testid="main-content" id="main-content"><article><header></header><div data-component="image-block"><figure><p><span><picture><source srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/BE87/production/_132357784_snow-top2-pa.jpg.webp 240w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/BE87/production/_132357784_snow-top2-pa.jpg.webp 320w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/BE87/production/_132357784_snow-top2-pa.jpg.webp 480w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/BE87/production/_132357784_snow-top2-pa.jpg.webp 624w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/BE87/production/_132357784_snow-top2-pa.jpg.webp 800w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/BE87/production/_132357784_snow-top2-pa.jpg.webp 976w" type="image/webp"></source><img alt="Traffic drives through wintry conditions at Leeming Bar in North Yorkshire after overnight snow hit parts of the UK in February 2020" height="561.4380000000001" loading="eager" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/999/cpsprodpb/BE87/production/_132357784_snow-top2-pa.jpg" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/BE87/production/_132357784_snow-top2-pa.jpg 240w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/BE87/production/_132357784_snow-top2-pa.jpg 320w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/BE87/production/_132357784_snow-top2-pa.jpg 480w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/BE87/production/_132357784_snow-top2-pa.jpg 624w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/BE87/production/_132357784_snow-top2-pa.jpg 800w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/BE87/production/_132357784_snow-top2-pa.jpg 976w" width="999"></img></picture></span><span role="text"><span>Image source, </span>PA Media</span></p></figure></div><div data-component="byline-block"><div><div><div><p>By The Visual Journalism Team  </p><p>BBC News</p></div></div></div></div><div data-component="text-block"><p><b>Driving in severe winter weather can pose many challenges, and in very bad conditions it may be best to avoid driving at all unless your journey is essential. </b></p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>But if you do need to use your car, make sure you are as well-prepared as possible. </p></div><p data-component="subheadline-block"><h2 id="What-should-I-carry-in-the-car-when-driving-in-snow-and-ice" tabindex="-1"><span role="text">What should I carry in the car when driving in snow and ice?</span></h2></p><div data-component="text-block"><p>Allow extra time before you set off to de-ice the car, and expect journeys to take much longer. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Check traffic reports and plan your journey around major roads, which are more likely to be gritted or cleared. Avoid shortcuts on minor roads.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Wear warm clothes and comfortable shoes. Pack a coat, hat, gloves, sturdy boots and a blanket to keep you warm in case you do get stuck or have to leave your car.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>You may also need sunglasses in bright weather. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Take some food such as chocolate and biscuits, as well as water and a hot drink if you can. Make sure you have any medication you need. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Always carry a fully-charged mobile, a shovel to clear snow and some old bits of carpet, or cat litter, to put under the tyres if you get stuck.</p></div><p data-component="subheadline-block"><h2 id="How-should-you-prepare-your-car-for-driving-in-snow-and-ice-" tabindex="-1"><span role="text">How should you prepare your car for driving in snow and ice? </span></h2></p><div data-component="text-block"><p>Consider buying winter tyres, which offer extra grip, especially if you live in an area which regularly experiences snow. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>If you have standard tyres, make sure they're inflated at the right pressure, and that each has at least 3mm of tread. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Car batteries run down more quickly in winter. Take regular long journeys to keep yours running well or consider using a trickle-charger.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Keep screen wash topped up, and use a proper anti-freeze at the right concentration to prevent ice.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>If there is a risk of windscreen wipers freezing overnight, place cardboard between the blades and the windscreen.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Keep your fuel tank topped up so if you are caught out, you have enough fuel to make it home, or run the engine to keep warm. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>But if you do get stuck, make sure snow doesn't block the exhaust, because noxious fumes can leak into the vehicle.</p></div><p data-component="subheadline-block"><h2 id="How-should-you-drive-in-snow-and-ice" tabindex="-1"><span role="text">How should you drive in snow and ice?</span></h2></p><div data-component="image-block"><figure><p><span><span></span></span><span role="text"><span>Image source, </span>Getty Images</span></p></figure></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Clear all snow and ice from the windscreen, windows and roof of the car before setting off. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Don't use boiling water to de-ice windscreens - hot water can crack the glass, and the water will only freeze again on the screen, or on the ground where you are standing.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Check your lights are clear of snow and are working. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>If you drive a manual vehicle, use second gear to pull away, lifting the clutch gently to avoid wheel spin. Stay in a higher gear for better control as you pick up speed.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Many automatic cars have a "snow" or "winter" gearbox mode. Check your handbook for details. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Maintain the right speed: too fast and you risk losing control, but driving too slowly means you might lose momentum when you need it.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Brake, steer and accelerate as smoothly as possible, and drive so that you do not rely on your brakes to be able to stop.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Remember stopping distances are up to 10 times greater in snow and ice. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Leave more space behind the car in front than you usually would.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>On motorways, stay in the lane clearest of snow, ice and slush, and keep within existing tyre tracks if you can.</p></div><p data-component="subheadline-block"><h2 id="What-should-you-do-if-your-car-gets-stuck-in-snow-or-ice" tabindex="-1"><span role="text">What should you do if your car gets stuck in snow or ice?</span></h2></p><div data-component="text-block"><p>If you get stuck, don't try to keep moving if the wheels spin - it will only dig you in deeper. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Use a shovel to clear snow from under your tyres. Pour cat litter, sand or gravel in front of the wheels to help them get traction.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Shift from forward to reverse and back again. Give a light touch on the accelerator until the vehicle gets going.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>If you can't move your car, you can stay warm by running the engine. However, it is vital to ensure exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow because highly toxic carbon monoxide gas could enter the car.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>If there is any risk of fumes coming into the vehicle, do not run the engine. Even if it is safe, don't run it for more than 10 or 15 minutes in each hour.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Stay in or close to your car. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>In heavy snow, it is easy to get disorientated and lost or separated from your vehicle. You can hang a piece of brightly coloured cloth on your car to let you or others find it. </p></div><div data-component="video-block"><figure><div></div><figcaption><span>Media caption, </span><p>Watch: Drivers stranded for 24 hours in deep Sweden snow</p></figcaption></figure></div></article></main></div>