Drive with winter tyres right through to Easter and carry snow chains with you depending on your destination. The tread of winter tyres should ideally be at least 4 mm deep – significantly more than the legal minimum of 1.6 mm in Switzerland. If your trip includes the surrounding countries, the respective rules must be observed, as there are sometimes statutory obligations there.

Keep an eye on your car battery’s performance. Cold and frost can affect the functioning of the battery. The older it is, the more likely you are to have trouble starting the engine - or it may let you down altogether. If you drive an electric car, you can expect a 15 to 25 percent loss of range in cold weather.

Be aware of the braking distance. This can be up to four times longer on snow than on dry roads. Always accelerate gently and avoid jerky steering manoeuvres and braking, as these often lead to dangerous situations on smooth surfaces. In poor visibility, switch on the dipped headlights even during the day.

Clear the windscreen of snow and ice. Don't forget the roof, rear-view mirrors and headlights. Be aware that a "peephole" is not enough and can lead to your licence being confiscated. We recommend keeping a sturdy ice scraper with plastic edges and a snow broom in the vehicle.

Take off your winter jacket while driving. The bulk of the winter jacket prevents the safety belt from being taut enough on the body, which means that its safety function is impaired. The heating in the car should still keep you warm enough. And in case the low sun blinds you, it's best to keep your sunglasses handy.

Snow, rain and early darkness result in poor visibility. Ensure greater safety for everyone by wearing light-coloured clothing on the pavement or on your bike or motorcycle. Reflectors in particular are very effective because they are visible from three times the distance.

Even if you want to get out of the cold and back to the warmth as quickly as possible: take account of the longer braking distances that are necessary, especially when there are people crossing the road.

Allow enough time: familiar paths may not yet be cleared of snow. Note that there may be obstructions in road traffic. Buses or trains may be delayed or even cancelled. In addition, you can quickly lose control of your vehicle if you try and travel at too high a speed.

If possible, park the car on the breakdown strip or on the right side of the road. Switch on the hazard warning lights and set up the breakdown triangle (in towns 50 metres before the breakdown location, outside towns 100 metres). Contact the breakdown service or the emergency services if necessary. You and other passengers should put on the high-visibility vests.  

You must carry your driver's licence, vehicle registration document, exhaust gas document and breakdown triangle in the car. Especially in winter, warm clothing, gloves, snow chains and a blanket are recommended. An accident protocol, high-visibility vests, emergency first aid kit, tow rope and torch are useful for unexpected incidents.