What To Do If You Slide Into a Ditch This Winter: A Step-By-Step Guide

By Darrah’s Towing — Trusted Winter Recovery Experts in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Monticello & Eastern Iowa Since 1970

Winter driving in Iowa brings a unique set of challenges that test even the most experienced drivers. Ice, slush, blowing snow, black ice, and rapidly changing weather conditions create dangerous situations on both major highways and rural county roads. One of the most common winter driving emergencies we respond to at Darrah’s Towing is a driver who has slid off the road into a ditch.

It happens suddenly. One patch of black ice, one unexpected gust of wind, or one mistake by a nearby driver is all it takes. Sliding into a ditch is frightening, but it is also incredibly common during Iowa winters. What matters most is knowing how to respond safely.

For more than five decades, Darrah’s Towing has performed thousands of ditch recoveries throughout Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Monticello, and across Eastern Iowa. Our team knows exactly how these situations unfold—and what drivers must do to stay safe.

This step-by-step guide is designed to give you the knowledge, confidence, and clarity you need if your vehicle ever ends up in a ditch this winter.

Why Vehicles Slide Into Ditches During Winter in Iowa

Before diving into the steps to take after sliding into a ditch, it’s helpful to understand why this happens so frequently. Iowa’s winter climate and road structure create ideal conditions for ditch-related accidents.

According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, roughly 25% of winter roadway accidents involve a vehicle leaving the roadway and landing in a ditch. Many happen suddenly and without warning.

Common causes include:

1. Black Ice

Thin, invisible layers of ice form overnight and on shaded areas. These are especially common on bridges in Cedar Rapids, rural highways near Monticello, and hills outside Iowa City.

2. Snow Drifts

Strong winds push snow across the road, forming hard drifts. Hitting one can jerk the steering wheel and cause you to lose traction.

3. Slush Over Ice

A dangerous combination where slush gives drivers a false sense of traction while ice underneath causes skidding.

4. Overcorrecting

Many drivers panic when their vehicle begins sliding and overcorrect, causing the vehicle to spin into a ditch.

5. Reduced Visibility

Winter whiteouts and blowing snow create near-zero visibility, especially on I-380 and Highway 151.

6. Rural Roads With Deep Ditches

Many Eastern Iowa back roads have steep shoulder drop-offs that make ditch accidents especially common.

Understanding these conditions helps you better anticipate winter hazards—but even the best drivers can find themselves off the road.

What To Do Immediately After Sliding Into a Ditch

Sliding into a ditch is frightening, but your next steps can make the situation safer and prevent further harm. The following steps are based on Darrah’s Towing’s decades of real-world experience assisting drivers in winter emergencies.

Step 1: Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

The initial shock can make it difficult to think clearly, but staying calm allows you to make safe decisions. Take a deep breath, check yourself for injuries, and evaluate your surroundings.

Ask yourself:

• Am I injured?

• Are my passengers injured?

• Am I in a safe location?

• Is there oncoming traffic nearby?

• Is the vehicle stable?

Remaining calm will help you take the right steps next.

Step 2: Stay in Your Vehicle If It Is Safe To Do So

In winter conditions, oncoming drivers may not see you—especially during snow or low visibility.Leaving your vehicle can be extremely dangerous.

Stay inside your vehicle unless:

• There is smoke or fire

• Your vehicle is in the direct path of traffic

• You feel unsafe due to the vehicle’s position

Otherwise, staying inside protects you from cold exposure and traffic hazards.

Step 3: Turn On Hazard Lights Immediately

Your hazard lights increase your visibility to other drivers and emergency responders.

If your vehicle landed in a low area or faces oncoming traffic:

• Turn on interior lights

• Turn on fog lights (if available)

Visibility is critical during winter storms.

Step 4: Check Your Surroundings for Immediate Danger

Look around carefully without exiting the vehicle. Key hazards to look for include:

• Vehicles sliding near your location

• Steep embankments

• Deep snow

• Water or ice-covered ditches

• Dropping temperatures inside your vehicle

If your vehicle is unsafe or unstable, exit only when you are sure traffic is clear.

Step 5: Call for Professional Roadside Assistance

Trying to drive out of a ditch, even a shallow one, can make the situation worse.Winter ditch recoveries require specialized equipment and expertise.

When calling for assistance, provide:

• Your exact location (mile marker, road name, nearest landmark)

• Vehicle type

• Whether the vehicle is damaged

• Whether you’re blocking a lane

• Whether you’re safe inside

Darrah’s Towing dispatches operators trained specifically for winter recovery operations and handles hundreds of these recoveries every season.

Step 6: Preserve Heat and Stay Warm

While waiting for help:

• Keep your seatbelt on

• Run the heater intermittently

• Ensure the exhaust pipe is NOT blocked by snow

• Use blankets or extra clothing if available

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a real risk when the exhaust is blocked—so checking it is essential.

Step 7: Do NOT Attempt to Dig Out Your Vehicle

Unless you are in a very shallow ditch, attempting to dig yourself out can make the situation worse or put you in danger. Snow hides ice layers, uneven ground, and slippery banks.

Many drivers slip while digging and suffer injuries. Others damage their vehicle by spinning the tires or packing snow into the undercarriage.

Step 8: Avoid Trying To “Floor It” or Drive Out

This is one of the biggest mistakes drivers make.Accelerating hard only:

• Buries your tires deeper

• Damages your transmission

• Reduces future traction

• Makes professional recovery more difficult

Modern traction control systems often worsen the situation by cutting power or directing it to the wrong wheels.

Leave the recovery to professionals.

Step 9: Prepare for the Tow Operator’s Arrival

When help is on the way:

• Keep your phone on

• Stay visible

• Turn off unnecessary electronics to preserve battery power

• Provide updates if conditions worsen

Tow operators often navigate dangerous roads to reach you; staying prepared helps them recover your vehicle quickly and safely.

How Darrah’s Towing Handles Winter Ditch Recoveries Safely and Professionally

Winter ditch recoveries in Eastern Iowa require specialized skills. Darrah’s Towing follows a precise, safety-first process developed over decades of winter towing experience.

Here’s what happens when our team arrives:

1. Scene Safety Assessment

Operators evaluate:

• Road traction

• Oncoming traffic patterns

• Snow depth and ice layers

• Stability of the stuck vehicle

• The safest position for the tow truck

2. Proper Equipment Selection

Different situations require different trucks. Depending on the ditch depth and road conditions, we may use:

• Flatbed rollbacks

• Wheel-lift tow trucks

• Medium-duty wreckers

• Heavy-duty wreckers for trucks or semis

• Winches and snatch blocks

• Soft straps for damage-free recoveries

3. Vehicle Stabilization

Before recovery begins, operators ensure the vehicle will not slide further into the ditch. Stabilization may involve straps, wheel chocks, or adjusting the angle of the pull.

4. Controlled Winching Techniques

Cold-weather winching must be precise. Operators use:

• Multi-angle pulls when needed

• Slow, controlled tension

• Tire alignment adjustments

• Correct hook points to prevent damage

5. Post-Recovery Vehicle Assessment

After extraction, operators determine whether the vehicle:

• Can be driven safely

• Needs towing to a shop

• Has visible undercarriage or suspension damage

• Requires a jump-start or other assistance

This ensures the driver does not leave the scene with an unsafe vehicle.

Statistic: Winter Is the Peak Season for Ditch Accidents

Industry reports show that over 40% of winter roadside calls in Iowa involve a vehicle that slid into a ditch, often due to black ice or drifting snow.

This makes ditch recoveries one of the top services provided by professional towing companies in Eastern Iowa.

Mistakes Drivers Commonly Make After Sliding Into a Ditch

Avoid these actions, as they can worsen your situation:

• Trying to reverse aggressively

• Spinning the wheels

• Pushing snow under tires

• Accepting tow attempts from untrained individuals

• Standing outside too close to traffic

• Leaving the vehicle in unsafe weather conditions

Your safety is always the priority.

Customer Testimony

“I was driving home to Monticello during a snowstorm when my car hit ice and slid into a deep ditch. I was shaken up and had no idea what to do. I called Darrah’s Towing, and they arrived faster than I expected, especially with the weather conditions. The driver was professional, calm, and explained everything he was doing. He pulled my car out safely and even checked to make sure it was okay to drive. I’m incredibly grateful for how they handled the entire situation.”— Stephanie, Monticello

How To Reduce the Risk of Sliding Into a Ditch This Winter

While winter ditch accidents are sometimes unavoidable, you can reduce the risk by:

• Slowing down during and after snowfall

• Avoiding sudden braking

• Maintaining proper tire pressure

• Installing winter tires for additional traction

• Keeping your gas tank above half

• Removing snow buildup around wheel wells

• Avoiding cruise control on icy roads

• Steering smoothly, not abruptly

Even with perfect driving habits, ditch accidents can still happen—which is why knowing what to do is essential.

Why Drivers in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City & Monticello Trust Darrah’s Towing

Darrah’s Towing is one of Eastern Iowa’s most experienced, equipped, and respected towing providers. Drivers trust us because we offer:

• One of the largest towing fleets in the region

• Fast response times, even during winter storms

• Over 50 years of winter recovery experience

• 24/7 roadside assistance

• Skilled operators trained for icy and snowy conditions

• Recovery services for cars, SUVs, trucks, semis, and commercial fleets

• Local expertise on hazardous roads and rural ditch areas

We understand Iowa winters—and we know how to keep drivers safe.

Final Thoughts: Stay Safe and Call Professionals When You Slide Into a Ditch

Sliding into a ditch during winter is stressful, but it doesn’t have to be dangerous. By staying calm, remaining in your vehicle, turning on hazards, preserving heat, and calling a professional towing company, you protect yourself and prevent further damage.

Darrah’s Towing is here for Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Monticello, and all surrounding Eastern Iowa communities with fast, reliable, and experienced winter ditch recovery services.

Whether you're dealing with black ice, drifting snow, or zero-visibility conditions, our team is ready to help you get back on the road safely.