2 August 2022
Winter driving tips
Getting behind the wheel in cooler or wetter conditions can be more challenging due to poor visibility, weather changes and slippery roads.
To stay in control of your car and your safety, consider the following tips:
Increase your following distance
Wet or icy roads can pose a serious hazard in winter. Leaving more space between your vehicle and the car in front of you and accelerating/decelerating more slowly can help prevent collisions.
Never rely fully on driver assistance technologies
Driver assistance technologies contribute to safer roads overall, but adverse weather can go undetected by these types of systems. It’s up to you to keep your eye out for black ice, and use your windshield wipers during a storm.
Turn your headlights on
Winter comes with more darkness during morning and evening hours. Make sure your headlights are even during the day to increase visibility of your vehicle for other drivers.
Expect delays
In rain or snow, expect travel times to be extended. It can help to leave earlier than you normally would and pause your journey if a storm hits.
Remove ice and snow from your vehicle
If you’re travelling in alpine regions, stay up to date on the weather forecast. Before you leave, check your car, and remove any ice and snow from your vehicle to avoid causing road hazards for other drivers.
Maintain your regular service schedule
Fleet vehicle drivers should always ensure routine maintenance is completed. If you have any concerns regarding the drivability of your vehicle, book it into a dealership or service centre to be inspected.
Contact Custom Fleet roadside assistance
Australia: 1800 812 681
New Zealand: 0800 453 274
Downloads
You can download our Winter driving tips in PDF form:
For Australia (321KB, PDF)
For New Zealand (336KB, PDF)