On snow and wet roads, stopping distances grow sharply even at the same speed. Pre-drive checks, slowing down, following distance, and what to do if you skid.
📚 Cars · 7/10·⏱ About 6min read·Information updated 2026-10-02
📋 Key facts5
Principle
Drive slower than usual and leave more space
Ice risk
Bridges, tunnel mouths, and shaded roads freeze first
Wet roads
Hydroplaning is likelier at high speed and with shallow tread
Control
Avoid sudden acceleration, braking, and steering
Warning
Postponing the trip is safest during heavy snow or rain warnings
Weather changes the grip
Snow, rain, and ice reduce the friction between tires and road. With less grip, the distance needed to stop grows sharply at the same speed, and wheels spin or slide more easily when you turn or accelerate. The trouble is that drivers keep judging speed and distance by their everyday feel. The key to bad-weather driving is accepting that the car will not respond as usual and doing everything earlier and more gently. Korean traffic law also requires drivers to slow down in rain or snow, so check the official guidance for the exact reductions.
Checks before you set off
On a bad-weather day, a few minutes of checking before you leave makes a big difference. Clear all snow and frost from the windshield, rear window, side windows, mirrors, headlights, and taillights. Brush the snow off the roof too, because it can slide onto your windshield or fly into the car behind while you drive. Make sure the wipers clear the glass cleanly and that you have enough washer fluid, a winter grade in cold weather. This is also a good moment to check tread depth and tire pressure.
Clear snow and frost from glass, mirrors, and lights
Brush snow off the roof
Check the wipers and washer fluid
Check tread depth and tire pressure
Keep the fuel tank well filled
Winter: the ice you cannot see
The scariest part of winter driving is not snow but ice you cannot see. A road can look dark and merely wet while actually carrying a thin layer of ice. Bridges and overpasses have cold air flowing beneath them and freeze before other surfaces, and tunnel mouths, mountain bends, and the shadows of buildings may stay frozen all day. Slow down before you reach these spots, and once you are on them, avoid hard braking or sharp steering. Take extra care at dawn and at night when temperatures hover around freezing.
Winter: tires and control
As temperatures fall, the rubber in ordinary tires hardens and loses grip. That is why many tire makers recommend winter tires in the cold season, often citing an air temperature of around 7 degrees Celsius as the point to switch. If you live where it snows often, have winter tires or chains ready. Pull away with very light pressure on the accelerator, and on downhill stretches shift to a lower gear early to use engine braking. If the car starts to slide, the basics are to look where you want to go and steer smoothly rather than panic and stamp on the brake. In cars with anti-lock brakes, a pulsing pedal during hard braking is normal, so keep your foot down.
Rainy season: hydroplaning and visibility
In heavy rain, tires can fail to push away all the water and ride up on a film of it, which is called hydroplaning. It is more likely at higher speeds, with shallower tread, and with low tire pressure. When it happens, the steering suddenly feels light. Do not brake hard or turn the wheel; lift off the accelerator and let the car slow down on its own. Turn on your headlights even in daytime so others can see you. Spray from the car ahead blocks your view, so leave a much larger gap than usual.
Slow down
Use headlights even during the day
Leave a much larger gap than usual
If steering goes light, lift off and wait
Flooded roads and underground spaces
It is hard to judge the depth of water on a flooded road by eye. Even water shallower than you expect can push a car along or stall the engine, so the rule is to go around it. Roads beside rivers, underpasses, and underground parking garages can fill quickly in a downpour and are especially dangerous. If water is already rising, do not try to save the car; get out right away and move to higher ground. Rising water can make doors hard to open, so leaving early, before it gets to that point, is crucial. On days when heavy rain is forecast, avoid parking in low-lying areas.
Fog and strong wind
In thick fog, it is easy to lose your sense of speed because you cannot see far ahead. Slow down well and use fog lights and low beams. High beams reflect off the fog and make visibility worse. If you can barely see, it is better to stop at a rest area or another safe, wide spot and wait for the fog to lift. In strong wind, cars can be pushed sideways on bridges and at tunnel exits, so hold the wheel firmly with both hands and slow down. Passing large vehicles can expose you to gusts as well.
The safest choice is to wait
When warnings for heavy snow, heavy rain, or a typhoon are in effect, the safest choice is to postpone the trip or take public transport. If you must go, check weather and road closure information before leaving, and carry a blanket, water, a phone charger, and a flashlight. If you are stuck in snow and waiting with the engine running, check often that the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow. A blocked exhaust can push fumes into the cabin and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. This guide explains general principles only. For actual speed reductions and road closures, follow official guidance from the weather service, road operators, and police.