Driving in bad weather

Bad weather decides nothing on its own — what matters is how you adapt your driving. Let's go through rain, fog, snow and ice so the car stays under your control.

Speed by visibility and road

The speed limit is an upper cap, not an instruction on how fast to go. In poor visibility and on a slippery road, pick a speed that lets you stop within the distance you can see. If you can't see far, slow down.

Distance on a slippery road

On wet roads, snow and ice the braking distance grows a lot. Increase the gap to the car ahead, brake earlier and more gently, with no sharp inputs to the wheel or pedal.

Lights are always required

In Latvia a motor vehicle must drive with lights on around the clock (in daytime — daytime running lights, dipped beam or front fog lights). In thick fog, heavy rain or snow you may also switch on dipped beam and the front and rear fog lights.

Winter tyres and the season

From 1 December to 1 March, cars and buses up to 3.5 t must have tyres made for winter conditions. Studded tyres are allowed from 1 October, but from 1 May to 1 October driving on them is forbidden.

Real-world situations

You're on the highway and hit a band of thick fog — you can see only a few dozen metres ahead.

Slow down enough to stop within the distance you can see, and switch on dipped beam and fog lights. Don't use high beam — it reflects off the fog and dazzles you.

Autumn morning, wet road, temperature near zero — ice is possible in places.

Treat the road as slippery: drive smoothly, increase your distance, avoid hard braking and sharp steering. Bridges and shaded stretches ice over first.

Heavy rain, the car ahead throws up spray and your visibility drops.

Drop back to get out of the spray and switch on the rear fog lights so others see you better. If visibility disappears completely, stop in a safe place and wait it out.

Common mistakes

Using high beam in fog, thinking it helps you see.
In fog use dipped beam and fog lights — high beam only makes visibility worse.
Keeping the same following distance on a slippery road as on a dry one.
Increase the gap — braking distance on wet and ice is far longer.
Driving on summer tyres because there's no snow yet.
From 1 December to 1 March winter tyres are mandatory, whether or not there is snow right now.

Key takeaways

Choose speed by visibility and road, not by the posted limit.
On a slippery road increase your distance and brake earlier and gentler.
Lights are always on in Latvia; fog lights help in fog, rain and snow.
Winter tyres are mandatory from 1 December to 1 March.

Check yourself

In Latvia, on a sunny summer day, must a motor vehicle drive with its lights on?

When are winter-condition tyres mandatory for a car up to 3.5 t?

In thick fog, which lights help the most?

Before driving in bad weather

Lower your speed to match visibility and the road surface
Increase the gap to the car ahead
Check your lights are on; in fog, the fog lights too
Clear snow and dirt off windows, mirrors and lights
In season, check that winter tyres are fitted

Frequent questions

How much should I increase distance on a slippery road?

The rules give no exact figure — follow the principle: if the road is slippery, the gap should be clearly larger than on dry road, so you can stop gently in time.

Can I keep the rear fog lights on all the time?

No. They are for poor visibility — thick fog, heavy rain or snow. In clear weather they dazzle the drivers behind you.

When can I drive on studded tyres?

Studded tyres are allowed from 1 October, but from 1 May to 1 October driving on them is forbidden.

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