As the UK's cold snap extends deeper into January 2026, drivers are being urged to master a critical safety manoeuvre for treacherous winter roads. Experts from Adrian Flux Insurance have issued clear guidance on what to do if your vehicle begins to slide on ice.
The Essential Skid Control Technique
In a recent advisory shared on TikTok, the insurance specialists demonstrated the key action to take. Their instruction is clear: steer gently into the skid. This means if the rear of your car slides to the right, you should turn the steering wheel to the right. Conversely, if it slides left, steer left.
The firm warned motorists to avoid two common panic reactions: do not take your hands off the wheel or brake hard. While turning into the slide may feel counterintuitive, the logic is sound. This action aligns your front wheels with the vehicle's actual direction of travel, helping the tyres regain grip on the slippery surface.
Attempting to steer against the skid often leads to overcorrection. This mistake can cause a dangerous spin or worsen the fishtailing motion. By steering into the skid, drivers can steadily realign the car with their intended path.
Broader Winter Driving Advice from the AA
The AA has reinforced its seasonal guidance, emphasising that preparation and adapted behaviour are crucial. They advise drivers to accelerate gently, move into a higher gear as soon as possible, and reduce speed overall.
A vital tip is to watch the vehicle ahead. "Keep an eye on the vehicle in front of you as this can give a clue to where patches of black ice are," the AA stressed, noting you might see the car in front skid slightly.
They also highlighted the dramatic increase in stopping distances. Braking distances can be ten times longer on snow or ice compared to dry roads. To illustrate, the stopping distance from 30mph in normal conditions is 23 metres (75 feet). In snow, this can skyrocket to 230 metres (750 feet).
Driver Reactions and Real-Life Experiences
The online advice has prompted many drivers to share their experiences and clarify common misunderstandings. One motorist admitted the guidance was invaluable, writing: "Thanks for clarification of 'into the skid', I thought it meant follow the front of the car which was odd, and would be a disaster!"
Another recounted handling their first skid successfully: "Did my first skid yesterday... I used engine braking to bring the speed down and managed to get the car pointing in the right direction."
A third user gave a powerful testament to the technique's effectiveness after a serious incident: "As someone who skidded across several lanes of traffic... this really DOES work. Me and my son were perfectly fine."
With freezing conditions set to continue, mastering this simple but vital skill could be the difference between a scary moment and a serious accident on winter roads.
