Rain, ice, snow and fog all cut your grip and your visibility, so everything you do needs a bigger margin — more distance, gentler inputs, and the right lights. Slow down and give yourself room.
Before and during bad weather
Good brakes, tyres, wipers, lights and steering matter even more when the weather turns, so check them regularly. On a wet, frosty or icy road, switch to the four-second following distance, because it takes longer to stop on a slippery surface — and remember roads are extra slippery just after rain starts, until it washes the oil away. Keep all windows and mirrors clean and use the demister (or crack a window) to stop them fogging.
Braking and control
On a wet road without ABS, don't brake too hard or you may skid — pump the brakes gently. With ABS, never pump; keep the pedal pressed hard and steer out of trouble, but don't be overconfident just because you have it. The posted limit may be too fast for the conditions, so slow down — you can lose control easily, especially braking suddenly. And when a vehicle, particularly a big truck, approaches on a wet road, expect spray on your windscreen and turn your wipers on as it nears, even if the rain has stopped.
Fog and fog lamps
In fog, dip your headlights — full beam just reflects back — and don't rely on park lights, which are hard to see and give little vision. Where visibility is severely reduced by fog or snow, front fog lamps (a wide, low white or yellow beam) help you see and rear fog lamps (a low red beam) help others see you. Only use fog lamps in those conditions: using them when the air is clear, even at night, is an offence.