Traffic in winter conditions

If you are driving in winter conditions:

• Plan your trip and give yourself plenty of time.
• Check your car’s winter equipment, inspect the winter tires, and prepare for what to do if you get stranded on the road.
• Follow weather forecasts and traffic updates on the radio.
• Drive with caution, maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, and adjust your speed according to road conditions and visibility.
• Watch out for frost on roads in valleys and low areas. Bridges are cooled from both above and below, and roads near open water can be more prone to ice.
• Be careful in the passing lane on roads with central barriers. Road salt is less effective there.
• Avoid overtaking snowplows that are tandem plowing.

If the weather looks very bad, consider using another mode of transportation. Always follow authorities' or the police’s advice to avoid driving.

How you can help at traffic accidents:

• Drive on if there are already people at the scene – unless you have specialist medical knowledge. Park your car as safely as possible if you stop.

• Call 112.

• Warn others with hazard lights so they don't drive into the accident.

• Check if there are any injured people at the scene. Shocked individuals may wander into the forest or onto the road. Try to assist them.

• Try to get an overview of what has happened. How many cars are involved? How many are injured? Report to the rescue personnel when possible.

• Listen to what the rescue personnel say and stay out of the way if they ask you to.