{"type":"document","data":{"id":"f309610d-3e1b-44ed-82b5-200812f4cf8f","localeString":"en-GB","publishDate":"2026-04-17T11:51:38.239+02:00","contentType":"onecms:editorialPage","hasMacro":false,"flexPageMetadata":{"afmBanner":false,"robotInstruction":{"noIndex":false,"noFollow":false},"description":"The winter weather is not always fun if you need to travel by car. Even just a wet road surface can cause problems. And then there’s the possibility of snow and black ice..."},"mainHeaderZone":{"componentType":"editorialHeader","coreHeader":{"title":"How to drive safely in winter","subtitle":"The winter weather is not always fun if you need to travel by car. Even just a wet road surface can cause problems. And then there’s the possibility of snow and black ice...","body":"As you can’t keep your car locked away all winter, we’d like to offer you a few tips to help you take to the road safely. You can read them below!"},"backLink":{"textLink":{"url":"/en/individuals/my-life/mobility","text":"Mobility"}},"date":"2026-01-15","readingTime":5},"flexZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Make sure you have enough screen wash"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"<p>With snow and mud spatter, winter can be tough on your windscreen and you can get through a lot of screen wash. Make sure you always have some in hand so you can top up your reservoir in good time and your visibility is never impaired.</p>"}},{"componentType":"highlight","title":"Tip","richBody":{"value":"<p>Buy screen wash that does not freeze if the mercury drops below zero!</p>"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Get scraping"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"<p>Windscreen iced up? Get scraping! It might not be much fun, but it’s essential if you want to stay safe. You may also face a fine of up to 58 euros if your windscreen is not completely free of ice.</p>"}},{"componentType":"highlight","title":"Tip","richBody":{"value":"<p>Use the ‘defrost’ function on your heating system. This will help your windscreen thaw much more quickly.</p>"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Opt for winter tyres"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"<p>Although they are not compulsory in Belgium, winter tyres are recommended. They stay supple when it gets cold and therefore grip the road surface better.</p>"}},{"componentType":"highlight","title":"Tip","richBody":{"value":"<p>Are you going on a skiing holiday or heading off to another winter destination? If so, check whether winter tyres are compulsory there and even consider getting snow chains.</p>"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Avoid cruise control if it’s snowing"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"<p>Under normal circumstances cruise control can make your journey much more pleasant, but it’s not always recommended in winter. When a road surface is slippery due to snow, ice or even just rain, cruise control can actually be dangerous: if you brake to deactivate the system, you can lose control of your vehicle.</p>"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Watch out for snow ploughs"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"<p>If the roads are covered with snow or a hard layer of ice, snow ploughs get to work. Never overtake a snow plough. This is not only an offence that will lead to a court appearance, but it can also put your life in danger!</p>"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Adapt your driving style"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"<p>Sudden acceleration, tight overtaking, hard braking... these are all best avoided during the winter months. The slippery road surface means your stopping distance is greater and accidents can easily happen, even if you have ABS (an anti-lock braking system). You should therefore adapt your driving style to the weather conditions and maintain a sufficient gap to the car in front.</p>"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"And if something goes wrong?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"<p>Flat tyre, filled up with the wrong fuel or simply broken down? No-one can completely rule out these problems:</p>"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/individuals/insurance/insure-my-car/option-roadside-assistance-belgium-and-abroad","text":"With a good Car Assistance, you can go on the road with a peace of mind."},{"url":"/en/individuals/insurance/insure-my-car/car-insurance","text":"Make sure you check that you have a good car insurance."}]}]},"complementaryZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Also interesting!"},{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"What should you do in case of a car accident?","body":"Discover the video","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/bddd4272-f132-469f-af12-16b4940f5b97/car-insurance-after-claim-1920","type":"image","width":1920,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/294b30c580f9dfdd/original/car-insurance-after-claim-1920.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2020-09-25","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/my-life/mobility/car-insurance-claim"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Car Insurance","intro":"Insurer : NN Non-life","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/50672da5-7e85-4636-85e5-137f3a6bc522/Family-takes-group-selfie-in-car-during-road-trip","type":"image","width":4500,"altTextEN":"\"\"","altTextNL":"\"\"","altTextFR":"\"\"","altTextDE":"\"\"","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/5ecc05f4d8ea2753/original/Family-takes-group-selfie-in-car-during-road-trip.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/individuals/insurance/insure-my-car/car-insurance"}},{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"Roadside assistance option in Belgium and abroad","body":"Drive with peace of mind thanks to the roadside assistance option available with your ING Car insurance. Insurer: NN Non-Life","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/9b2f67b8-9777-40af-8f1f-b1fbcb46ffa0/jeep","type":"image","width":814,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/2e7ad5d8fb0453a2/original/jeep.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2023-08-11","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/insurance/insure-my-car/option-roadside-assistance-belgium-and-abroad"}},{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"What is the bonus-malus system?","body":"While the term bonus-malus is still widespread, it is no longer used at ING. We now speak of \"claim-free years\".","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/4d6fb0a6-f033-491b-b1a3-ac90db6c8708/Man-hugs-car-in-garage-showroom","type":"image","width":5130,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/25534a5c70973a60/original/Man-hugs-car-in-garage-showroom.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2023-08-18","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/insurance/insure-my-car/bonus-malus"}},{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"The driver insurance option: what’s it really for?","body":"Driver's insurance is not compulsory, but it ensures that you can count on compensation as a driver even when you yourself are at fault in an accident.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/c4ec4a21-be1a-4d1b-94b0-a5767eeba2ee/Dog-seated-in-car-driver-seat","type":"image","width":4096,"altTextEN":"\"\"","altTextNL":"\"\"","altTextFR":"\"\"","altTextDE":"\"\"","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/ab80c8ffd391821/original/Dog-seated-in-car-driver-seat.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2023-07-17","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/insurance/insure-my-car/driver-insurance"}}]}]}}}