When winter arrives, many parts of the country enter "snow mode." For several days in a row, the three provinces of Liaoning, Heilongjiang, and Jilin have been hit hard by heavy snow. The meteorological station forecasts that from the 20th to the 21st, central to heavy snow is expected in parts of the Ili River Valley and Altay in Xinjiang, as well as along some areas of the Tianshan Mountains, with localized blizzards. Although the heavy snow brings picturesque beauty and the fun of icy wonderlands continues to attract tourists, it also brings inconvenience to travel. What should you pay attention to when traveling in snowy weather? What special preparations can be made for your vehicle and shoes?
Drive at Low Speed and Don’t Rush
When riding bicycles or electric scooters on snowy days, drive at low speed; avoid cycling on tiles that are prone to icing and slipping; never compete with motor vehicles for road space to prevent injury from vehicles that may skid; on roads with thick snow or thin ice, it’s best to get off and walk.
Precautions for Driving in Snowy Weather
Pay attention to using your lights. In general, visibility is low on snowy days, so proper use of lights is essential. First, turn on fog lights and low beams to help drivers observe road conditions and make their vehicles clearly visible to others. Second, turn on position lights before starting and after stopping to let other vehicles know your presence, enabling them to take corresponding precautions.
Maintain Steady Speed
Roads are slippery in snowy weather. Sudden braking, acceleration, deceleration, or steering—even issues that aren’t problematic under normal circumstances—can lead to skidding. Therefore, when driving on highways in snowy conditions, maintain a steady speed, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, and ensure the smooth handling of your vehicle. In general, avoid overtaking.
Keep a Safe Distance from the Vehicle Ahead
Maintaining sufficient safe distance between vehicles is crucial when driving on highways in snowy weather. Because roads are slippery, braking distances are five to six times longer than on dry asphalt roads. Additionally, sudden braking is not recommended in snowy conditions to prevent skidding. Visibility is also reduced, and regulations stipulate: when visibility is less than 200 meters, maintain over 100 meters distance from the vehicle ahead; when visibility is less than 100 meters, keep over 50 meters distance; when visibility is less than 50 meters, exit the highway. On snowy highways, consider both visibility and road slipperiness when maintaining a safe following distance.
Wear Appropriate Colored Sunglasses
When driving on snowy highways, glare is common. Wearing appropriate colored sunglasses and taking proper rest can prevent eye strain caused by glare, reduce fatigue, and improve visibility. Maintaining a good mood is also important—if you encounter emergencies, being mentally prepared helps respond safely and reach your destination.
Maintain Adequate Interior Temperature and Functional Wipers
If snow or ice on the front windshield cannot be cleared, or if it freezes, the driver will be unable to see road conditions, and the vehicle may not be able to start.
Before getting on the highway, try to understand the latest weather conditions and road accessibility along the route so you can adjust your itinerary accordingly. Once on the highway, pay attention to variable message signs and follow the on-road instructions.
If you encounter bad weather such as rain, fog, frost, or ice and snow midway, and there's a large temperature difference between inside and outside the vehicle causing windshield fogging, never attempt to wipe the fog off with a cloth or towel while driving—small actions may lead to big trouble. Instead, use the car’s air conditioning to adjust interior temperature and eliminate fog on the windshield to ensure clear visibility.
Avoid Parking in Water-Pooled Areas in Snowy Weather
Due to day-night temperature variations in snowy weather, cars often freeze after being parked overnight. If you park your car outdoors in snowy weather, avoid parking in water-pooled areas. Parking there may cause the puddles to freeze again at night, freezing the tires to the road surface. Starting the vehicle may deform the tire tread or even tear the tire.
Additionally, when parking outdoors on snowy nights, it’s best not to engage the handbrake. After driving on wet and slippery roads, the brake discs and calipers can retain a lot of water. Engaging the handbrake afterward may cause it to freeze, making it impossible to move the vehicle the next day or damaging the braking system. To prevent movement, for manual transmission vehicles, use first or reverse gear; for automatics, use the parking gear and place stones or wooden wedges against two diagonal tires.
Snowy Weather Travel: Shoes Matter
When going out in heavy snow, your choice of footwear is important. Slipping on snow is partly due to slick surfaces and partly due to unsuitable shoes. Professionals advise that in snowy or icy conditions, avoid wearing hard-soled or smooth-bottomed shoes—opt for anti-slip footwear. Some people have come up with clever anti-slip tricks, such as wearing an extra pair of old socks over your shoes or tying cloth strips or hemp ropes around your shoes, which greatly increases friction between shoes and snow, reducing the risk of slipping.
Shoe soles that are too soft or too hard are both unfavorable. Soles with more grooves, especially those deep and numerous, help prevent snow and ice accumulation and reduce the likelihood of slipping.