Prepare your vehicle and your plan.
Think through the route, forecast, vehicle readiness, and supplies before setting out. The book emphasizes recognizing when a trip should be delayed.
A practical winter driving book
Winter
Driving
Survival.
Essential Skills for Safe and Confident Winter Driving
Snow, ice, and changing visibility can turn an ordinary trip into a series of difficult decisions. Jayson Simmons's book helps drivers think through road conditions, vehicle readiness, traction, skids, and what to do when a trip does not go to plan.
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Inside the book
Winter driving starts before the wheels move.
This winter driving book focuses on preparation and the decisions drivers face when conditions change. It covers the road before departure, the feel of snow and ice beneath the tires, and the point when stopping or asking for help is the better choice.
Read changing conditions.
Explore snow, ice, slush, and reduced visibility, along with how traction can change and what drivers should consider when a vehicle begins to slide.
Know when to get help.
The book also addresses getting stuck, deciding when to stop trying to self-recover, and staying prepared while waiting for assistance.
Specific topics in the book
- Recognizing black ice, snow drifts, slush, and sudden changes in traction.
- Understanding how to avoid a slide and respond if a skid starts.
- Preparing winter gear and emergency supplies for the vehicle.
- Thinking through a stuck vehicle, a storm delay, or a call for help.
- Sharing the road with snowplows and using quick-reference checklists.
A useful starting point
Four questions before a winter drive
The book returns to decisions a driver can make before conditions become urgent. Use these questions to start your own pre-trip check.
- What does the route look like? Check the forecast, road reports, and any closures. Decide whether the trip can wait.
- Is the vehicle ready? Check tires, lights, wipers, and defrosters. Clear snow and ice from the vehicle before leaving.
- What if you are delayed? Carry winter supplies, charge your phone, and let someone know your route and expected arrival.
- When will you change the plan? Decide in advance what worsening visibility or road conditions would prompt you to stop safely or turn back.
These prompts reflect the book's approach and align with NHTSA's winter driving guidance. Check local road advice and your vehicle owner's manual for your situation.
A guide to keep close
For anyone who wants a clearer winter driving plan.
Winter Driving Survival is written for drivers who want to prepare for snow and ice, review their decisions before a winter trip, or discuss winter travel with someone they care about. It is a book to read before conditions become urgent.
For current road and vehicle guidance, also check your local transportation agency, weather service, and vehicle owner's manual. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's winter driving tips are a useful companion.
Available now
Find Winter Driving Survival on Amazon.
Choose the paperback or Kindle edition on the book's Amazon page. The New Driver Edition arrives October 10, 2026.