Driving on black ice: how to stay safe in icy conditions

When temperatures drop, roads can quickly become icy – and black ice can form without warning. Even short journeys can feel risky if you’re not prepared.

Stopping distances on ice can be up to ten times longer than on dry roads, so driving smoothly and leaving extra space is essential.

This guide explains what black ice is, where it forms, how to spot it, and what to do if you hit it.

Quick winter driving checklist (TL;DR)

• Check tyres, battery, lights and screenwash before you set off.
• Slow down and avoid sharp steering, braking or acceleration.
• Leave around 10x your normal stopping distance.
• Watch for black ice on shaded roads, bridges and early mornings.
• If you skid, stay calm, ease off and steer gently into it.

Understand the hazards

What is black ice?

Black ice is a thin, transparent layer of ice that forms when water freezes on roads or pavements. Despite the name, it isn’t actually black – it’s almost invisible because it contains no air bubbles and blends into the tarmac.

Where does black ice form?

Black ice is most likely in areas where the road surface stays colder for longer:

• shaded stretches of road
• bridges, flyovers and overpasses
• tunnels or roads under trees
• quiet back roads that haven’t been gritted

These areas cool quickly overnight and warm more slowly during the day.

How to spot black ice

Because black ice is hard to see, use these clues:

• Air temperature between 0°C and 3°C, especially after rain.
• Early morning or late evening when surfaces refreeze.
• A road surface that looks glossy or “wet” when the rest looks dry.
• Sudden changes in grip as you enter shaded areas or cross bridges.

Before you drive: essential preparations

Preparing properly makes winter driving much safer:

• Pack essentials: charged phone, blanket, water, snacks, torch, and warm clothing.
• Check your car:
  • Tyres: good tread depth and correct pressures.
  • Screenwash topped up with antifreeze.
  • Battery health (cold weather reduces performance).
  • Lights and wipers working properly.
• Plan your route: use main roads where possible – they’re more likely to be gritted.

How to drive on icy roads safely

The key is smooth, cautious driving.

1. Take it slow

Reduce speed and allow extra time to react to hazards. Drive as gently as conditions allow.

2. Be gentle with all controls

Accelerate, brake and steer smoothly to avoid losing traction. In a manual car, pulling away in second gear can reduce wheelspin. 

3. Leave a 10x stopping distance

Keep well back from the vehicle in front – the Highway Code warns stopping distances can be ten times greater on ice. 

What to do if your car skids on ice

If you feel the car start to slide:

1. Stay calm – sudden movements make skids worse.
2. Look where you want to go, not at the obstacle.
3. Ease off the accelerator and avoid harsh braking.
4. Steer gently into the skid (if the rear slides right, steer right).

ABS cars: if you must brake, apply firm, steady pressure and let ABS work.
Non-ABS cars: brake very gently or use cadence braking.

This approach is recommended by UK winter-driving safety guidance. 

Driving on black ice: step-by-step

If you realise you’ve hit black ice, follow these steps:

1. Don’t panic – keep steering steady and avoid sudden braking.
2. Ease off the accelerator to slow gradually.
3. Steer gently and avoid jerking the wheel.
4. Don’t overreact – most patches are short, so focus on control.

These steps match the RAC’s black-ice advice.

Driving on black ice in an electric vehicle

EVs can feel different in winter. Key tips:

• Regenerative braking: consider reducing regen or using a “low regen” mode if available to avoid sudden deceleration on slippery roads.
• Range drops in cold weather: plan charging stops and pre-condition the battery where possible.

EV winter guidance often highlights smoother regen for traction. {index=11}

Extra tips for icy conditions

• Hills: keep a steady speed and avoid stopping mid-slope – restarting on ice is difficult.
• If you get stuck: clear ice/snow from tyres, then use grit/salt or a car mat to help gain traction.

Tyres for winter driving

Tyres make a big difference in cold weather:

• Winter tyres offer the best grip on snow and ice and work best below about 7°C.
• All-season tyres are a great UK compromise, improving cold-weather grip compared with summer tyres.
• Whichever tyres you use, keep tread depth healthy and pressures correct – pressure drops in cold weather.

UK winter-driving organisations consistently recommend suitable seasonal tyres.

When not to drive

If travel isn’t essential and conditions are severe (for example, untreated roads, heavy ice or official weather warnings), delaying your journey is the safest choice.

Driving on ice in winter

Winter driving doesn’t have to be intimidating. Prepare your car, drive smoothly, and know how to react if you hit black ice – you’ll greatly reduce your risk.

For peace of mind, make sure your car is equipped with the right tyres – all season tyres and winter tyres make a lot of difference at this time of year.

If you need new car tyres, browse our full range to stay ready for whatever winter throws your way.

Stay safe this winter!