General Principles for Driving Safely in Bad Weather
Last reviewed: 2026 · Driviology Road Safety Education Team
Quick Answer
In any bad weather, slow down below the posted limit, increase your following distance, and use smoother, more gradual steering, braking, and acceleration inputs than you would in clear conditions.
Rain, snow, fog, and ice each bring their own challenges, but a handful of core adjustments apply no matter which kind of bad weather you are facing.
Slow Down Below the Posted Limit
Posted speed limits assume good conditions. In bad weather, reducing your speed below the limit gives you more time to react and shortens the distance needed to stop.
Increase Following Distance
Extend your normal two-second following gap to four seconds or more, since braking distance increases significantly on wet, snowy, or icy surfaces.
Smoother Inputs, Fewer Sudden Moves
Steer, brake, and accelerate more gradually than usual. Sudden inputs are far more likely to break traction in bad weather than in dry, clear conditions.