What counts as winter road conditions? Drive safely in winter!

Knowing when winter road conditions are present or not can be difficult. Things like fallen leaves, rain and mud on the road tell us that the road may be slippery, but when the winter cold starts to creep in and rain mixes with cold nights, it becomes even more difficult to determine what is and is not winter road conditions. We'll explain the concept and the regulations!

What is considered winter road conditions?

Winter road conditions exist when there is snow, ice, slush or frost on any part of the roadway or shoulder. Whether winter road conditions exist is determined by the local police authority, but you as a driver also have a responsibility to assess whether you can get through safely for both yourself and other drivers in traffic.

It is therefore a good idea to be out in good time during the autumn season to change tires and to follow the legislation that exists for when summer tires must be changed to winter tires.

When are winter road conditions?

In addition to visible differences on the road such as snow, ice, slush or frost, in Sweden it is a requirement that cars and heavy vehicles have winter tires during the period from December 1 to March 31. If winter road conditions prevail or are expected to prevail in such a way that you need to change to winter tires before December 1, you may use studded tires during the period from October 1 to April 15. The tread depth of the tires must then be at least 3 millimeters.

If you need to buy new tires for the season, consider investing in a set of tires that are optimized for safety and durability, through testing and during tire manufacturing. Also, consider that it may be worth investing in tires that last more seasons, rather than cheaper tires.

Braking distance in winter road conditions

Calculating the exact braking distance on winter roads is difficult. The actual braking distance is affected by a number of factors in addition to the road conditions, such as the driver's reaction time, the slope of the road, the quality of the tires, the brakes on the car and the weight of the vehicle (including the load). You can expect the braking distance to be about 10 times longer on slippery roads, regardless of whether there are winter conditions or not, than if you are driving on dry roads. Calculating the braking distance is therefore always done under the assumption that the road is dry.

A simple method for calculating braking distance on dry roads at a given speed is to remove the zero from the speed, multiply the number by itself and by 0.4. Remember that you should always keep your distance from cars in front of you - whether there are winter road conditions or not.

Things to consider when driving

If the ice suddenly starts to slide, there are a few things you can do to make your way safer on the road in winter conditions:

Avoid braking and accelerating sharply

Engine brake by releasing the throttle as often as possible, especially on downhill slopes. Drive with small steering movements and avoid sharp turns. Keep your eyes well ahead on the road to avoid sudden braking when, for example, cornering.

Plan your ride

This is always important, but especially important during the winter months when there are winter road conditions. Be out in good time and keep to the traffic rhythm. By planning your driving, you will also avoid sudden braking. In case of misfortune, it may also be a good idea to bring an extra jacket, reflectors in the car and a flashlight. Also avoid driving on the fuel reserve.

What does it look like on the road?

The road tells you more about the road conditions than you think. Even a thin layer of snow can cause skidding. Remember that some slippery conditions are difficult to detect - such as slippery ice, or so-called flash ice, which is transparent on the road.

Which cars are recommended for winter road conditions?

All cars can be driven in winter conditions, depending on winter tires and road conditions. In general, however, four-wheel drive cars with high ground clearance can be perceived as safer.