Traction boards and sand: how to get unstuck from snow safely and avoid carbon monoxide
Check the scene, use boards and grit gently and know when to call for help
Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation built this guide from winter safety guidance by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a federal vehicle safety standard and published injury research. Every source is listed at the end.
What traction boards and abrasive material do
A stuck vehicle usually has one problem. The tires that drive it can’t find grip, so they spin instead of pushing the vehicle forward.
Traction boards give the tire a firm, rough surface to climb. They are stiff plastic or composite plates with raised teeth, also called recovery boards or traction mats. You wedge one tight against the tread of a drive tire. As the tire turns, it climbs onto the board and rolls off onto firmer ground.
Abrasive material does the same job in loose form. It is grit, such as sand or cat litter, spread under and ahead of the tires. NHTSA’s winter supply list includes sand or kitty litter for a vehicle stuck in snow [1]. CDC and OSHA list similar traction aids for a vehicle emergency kit [2, 3].
Their main role is emergency readiness. They let you free your own vehicle in a simple, low speed situation.
What they cannot do
Boards and grit help a vehicle that sits on its tires on fairly level ground. They will not lift a vehicle off a snowbank holding up its frame. They will not make a slope or ditch safe. They do not replace good tires, or chains when conditions call for them.
Why getting stuck is a safety problem
Federal highway officials report that each year, collisions on snowy, slushy or icy pavement kill more than 1,300 people and injure more than 116,800 [4]. Being stuck on those same roads adds new risks: nearby traffic that can’t stop well, hard work in the cold, ice underfoot and a running engine.
Falls are a big one. After a January 2007 ice storm in Oklahoma, health officials logged 6,047 storm related injuries. Falls caused 74 percent of them [5].
Hard work is another. A national study of snow shovel injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments from 1990 to 2006 found about 11,500 cases a year [6]. Strain from exertion was the most common cause. Heart problems made up 6.7 percent of cases, including all 1,647 deaths in the study [6].
Nearly all of those cases happened in and around the home [6]. Digging out a car is the same kind of work, often in worse conditions. So the first rule is simple: the vehicle can wait, and people come first.
Who carries them and where to get them
Many kinds of drivers keep boards or grit on hand:
- Drivers in snowy regions who park on the street.
- Rural residents with long driveways or gravel roads.
- RV and trailer owners who park on soft ground.
- Fleets with drivers on remote winter routes.
- Road agencies and property managers, who buy grit in bulk.
Traction boards and mats are sold at auto parts stores, outdoor and camping stores, and farm and home supply stores. Roadside equipment suppliers carry them too. Bagged sand is sold at hardware and home improvement stores. Contractor supply yards and engineering suppliers sell bulk sand and grit.
If you drive a work vehicle, ask whether recovery gear is in its kit and who checks it. Our guide to journey management for work drivers covers planning work trips around weather.
How to choose the right option
The right gear depends on your vehicle and where you drive. CDC’s winter kit list names cat litter or sand for grip, and road salt for melting ice [2]. Salt melts and grit grips, so they are not interchangeable.
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Traction options compared
| Option | Works well for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid traction boards | Snow, mud and sand, and repeated use | Bulky. A spinning tire can throw one |
| Flexible or folding mats | Small cars, light snow and ice | Less help in deep snow, and can slip out |
| Bagged sand | Ice and packed snow | Heavy, and must be stored dry |
| Nonclumping cat litter | Light, low cost grit for ice | Clumping types bind into paste when wet |
| Road salt | Melting a thin patch of ice | Melts ice but adds little grip |
| Floor mats or branches | Last resort only | Can tear, slip under or fly out |
For an RV or heavy pickup, the weight rating matters most. A board made for a small car can crack under a heavy axle. Your owner’s manual lists your vehicle’s weight ratings.
First decide: is it safe to dig out yourself?
Check the scene before you touch the gear. If the answer to any of these questions is yes, don’t try to free the vehicle yourself yet.
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Safety check before you try to dig out
| Ask yourself | If yes, do this instead |
|---|---|
| Am I in or next to a travel lane? | Don’t work beside traffic. Call for help |
| Is the vehicle in a ditch, on a slope or tilted? | Don’t try. It could slide or roll |
| Is the frame resting on snow? | Dig it clear first, or call for a tow |
| Did the vehicle hit anything? | Check for damage before driving |
| Is it snowing hard, or can I barely see? | Wait in the vehicle and signal for help |
| Does anyone have heart trouble or feel unwell? | Skip the hard work and call for help |
Staying put is often the right answer. CDC says remaining in the car is often the safest choice when you can’t see well or the roads are icy [7]. OSHA advises staying with the vehicle rather than walking for help, unless you can see help within 100 yards [3]. NHTSA’s advice is to remain with the vehicle and avoid overdoing it [1]. Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation gives drivers the same advice.
CDC also warns that cold makes the heart work harder [7]. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, CDC advises checking with your doctor about shoveling or other heavy work in winter [7].
On a busy road, the vehicle’s position matters more than its traction. Our roadside breakdown guide explains whether to stay inside and how to call for help.
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a gas in engine exhaust. You can’t see it or smell it, and it can kill without warning [8]. In the U.S., more than 400 people die each year from accidental CO poisoning that is not caused by fire, and more than 14,000 are hospitalized [8].
A stuck vehicle sets up the classic danger. Snow piles around the tailpipe. The engine runs for heat. People sit inside with the windows up while someone digs.
Big storms show the pattern. After a January 1996 blizzard, a CDC report summarized 25 CO poisonings reported over two days in Philadelphia and New York City [9]. Most were children or older adults sitting in idling cars with snow blocking the exhaust [9]. In another report, emergency doctors described 25 patients poisoned after more than 24 inches of snow [10]. All 25 were treated with hyperbaric oxygen, which delivers pure oxygen under pressure [10]. In Connecticut, car exhaust was the most common CO source after a major 2013 snowstorm, and most exposures came within a day [11].
CDC says infants, older adults and people with heart disease, anemia or breathing problems are more likely to get sick from CO [8]. A child waiting in the back seat is exactly the person to protect.
CO symptoms to watch for
The most common symptoms are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion [8]. If anyone has them, turn the engine off, get everyone into fresh air if it’s safe, and call 911.
A CO routine every time the engine runs
- Before starting the engine, dig snow away from the tailpipe and under the rear bumper.
- Open a window a little. OSHA suggests one on the side away from the wind [3].
- Run the engine in short bursts. CDC suggests about 10 minutes per hour for heat [7].
- Recheck the tailpipe after every attempt. Spinning tires and shoveling can push snow back.
- Turn the engine off while anyone digs near the back of the vehicle.
- Keep the tailgate closed while the engine runs. If you must open it, CDC advises opening vents or windows so air keeps moving [8].
- With a hybrid, check your manual. The gas engine may start by itself.
Step by step: using traction boards safely
Once the scene passes the safety check, work slowly. The goal is to roll out gently, not to power out.
- Ease off the gas as soon as the vehicle stops moving. More spinning digs a deeper rut.
- Turn on your hazard lights. Shift into park, set the parking brake and turn the engine off.
- Put on gloves, plus a reflective vest near any road. Have passengers wait away from traffic and clear of the tires.
- Find your drive wheels: the front tires on front wheel drive, the rear tires on rear wheel drive. With all wheel drive, check your manual and start with the tires that spun.
- Dig snow from in front of the drive tires, or behind them to back out. Clear snow touching the frame.
- Point the wheels straight. Wedge a board under each drive tire, teeth up, hard against the tread. Sprinkle grit past the boards if you have it.
- Move everyone out of the line of the tires, front and back. A board, ice or gravel can shoot out with force.
- Check the tailpipe and start the engine. If your manual says to switch off traction control when stuck, do it for this step only.
- Press the gas gently and steadily. If the tires spin on the boards instead of climbing, stop and reset them.
- Once moving, roll slowly to firm, level ground. Stop there and walk back for the boards.
- Turn traction control back on.
- Walk around the vehicle. Look for packed snow in the wheels, damaged parts and a clear tailpipe.
About step 8: the federal standard for electronic stability control lets automakers include an off switch [12]. It also requires the system to return to its default mode at each new start, with exceptions for some four wheel drive modes [12]. Still, turn it back on yourself as soon as you are free.
How to use sand and other grit
Grit works best on hard surfaces, such as ice and packed snow. It does much less in deep, loose snow, where it sinks.
- Clear loose snow first, so grit lands on the hard layer.
- Spread a strip in front of each drive tire and a few feet along your path.
- Start with a little and add more after each try.
- Pair it with boards. Grit past the board helps the tire keep its grip.
Rocking, or easing forward and back to build a little momentum, can help some vehicles. Do it only if your owner’s manual allows it, and never shift while the wheels are spinning.
Keep sand dry, since wet sand can freeze solid in a cold trunk. Store it in a sealed jug or lidded bin with a small scoop. If you carry cat litter, choose a nonclumping type.
Common mistakes and real limits
Watch for these common mistakes:
- Spinning the wheels fast, which digs deeper and strains tires and drive parts.
- Standing in front of or behind a tire while someone else drives.
- Trying to climb out of a ditch or up an icy slope.
- Working in or beside a travel lane.
- Forgetting the tailpipe after the first attempt.
- Skipping a damage check after sliding off the road.
- Accepting a pull from a passing driver with a strap tied to a bumper.
A pull from another vehicle is a separate job with its own risks. Leave it to a tow operator unless you have rated gear and know your vehicle’s recovery points.
Pace yourself. OSHA advises frequent breaks in warm areas during snow removal [3]. Keep your back straight, lift with your legs and avoid twisting [3]. On ice, wear proper footwear and take short, slow steps [3].
Stay dry. CDC warns that wet clothes cool your body fast [7]. Signs of hypothermia in adults include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, slurred speech and drowsiness [7]. If you notice any of these, stop and get warm.
Storage, upkeep and practice
After each use, knock off snow and mud and let the boards dry. Replace any grit that got wet.
Practice once in daylight, in your driveway or an empty lot after a light snow. Learn where your drive wheels are, how the boards seat and where the traction control button is. Fleets can add traction gear to pre trip checks. Other kit items, such as lights, jump starters, blankets and water, are covered in their own guides.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use cat litter instead of sand?
Yes, for ice and packed snow. Litter is lighter to carry. Choose a nonclumping type, because clumping litter is made to bind together when wet. Sand is heavier but stays gritty. Both appear as traction aids in federal winter kit guidance [2, 3]. Whatever you carry, keep it dry in a sealed container.
Do I need traction boards if I have all wheel drive?
They are still worth carrying if you drive in snow or on unpaved roads. All wheel drive makes getting stuck less likely. But any vehicle can lose grip when its tires sit on ice or its frame rests on packed snow. Boards are a small, low cost backup for those moments.
Should I keep the engine running to stay warm while I dig?
Not while anyone is digging near the back of the vehicle. Turn the engine off for that work. When you need heat, clear the tailpipe, crack a window and run the engine for short periods. CDC suggests about 10 minutes per hour [7]. NHTSA advises running it only now and then, long enough to keep warm [1].
Can I use my floor mats as traction mats?
Only as a last resort. Floor mats are not built to grip a spinning tire. They can tear, get pulled under the vehicle or shoot out from under the tire. If you try it, keep everyone well clear and use the gentlest throttle you can. Before putting a mat back, make sure it is clean and secured away from the pedals.
When should I stop trying and call for help?
Stop if a few gentle tries don’t move the vehicle. Stop if anyone is cold, worn out or feels sick, or if the vehicle starts to slide sideways. Stop if traffic is passing close. A tow operator has the right equipment for a harder recovery. While you wait, stay with the vehicle, keep the tailpipe clear and make the vehicle easy to see [1].
The bottom line
Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation urges drivers to check the scene and clear the tailpipe before any attempt to dig out, and to call for help when the spot is unsafe. Traction boards and a jug of sand or nonclumping litter are small, low cost tools. In the right spot, they turn a stuck vehicle into a short delay. In the wrong spot, the work itself becomes the danger. Check the scene first, clear the tailpipe and keep checking it. Use gentle throttle and keep people out of the path of the tires.
Near traffic, on a slope or in a ditch, the safe move is to stay with the vehicle, stay visible and call for help. Getting home late is always better than getting hurt.
Related articles
- Driving in snow and ice: grip, black ice, skids and when to stay home
- Roadside breakdown safety: what to do when your car breaks down
- Rural road safety: why country roads are deadlier and how to drive them
- Journey management for work drivers: weather, breakdowns and check ins
- Vehicle maintenance for safety: tires, brakes, lights and warning signs
Sources and further reading
- 1National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Winter Weather Driving Tips: Prepare Your Vehicle. No date shown; accessed October 2026. nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips
- 2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preparing for a Winter Storm. Updated December 2, 2025. cdc.gov/winter-weather/safety/index.html
- 3Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Winter Weather: Hazards and Precautions. No date shown; accessed October 2026. osha.gov/winter-weather/hazards
- 4Federal Highway Administration, Road Weather Management Program. Snow and Ice. No date shown; accessed October 2026. Data year: annual averages (years not stated on page). ops.fhwa.dot.gov/…/snow_ice.htm
- 5Piercefield E, Wendling T, Archer P, Mallonee S. Winter storm-related injuries in Oklahoma, January 2007. Journal of Safety Research, 2011;42(1):27-32 (PubMed record; DOI 10.1016/j.jsr.2010.11.004). Data year: 2007. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21392626
- 6Watson DS, Shields BJ, Smith GA. Snow shovel-related injuries and medical emergencies treated in US EDs, 1990 to 2006. American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2011;29(1):11-17, published online 2010 (PubMed record; DOI 10.1016/j.ajem.2009.07.003). Data year: 1990 to 2006. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20825768
- 7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Safety Guidelines: During and After a Winter Storm. Updated January 26, 2026. cdc.gov/…/stay-safe-during-after-a-winter-storm-…
- 8Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics. Updated January 12, 2026. Data year: annual estimates (years not stated on page). cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/about/index.html
- 9Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Carbon monoxide poisonings associated with snow-obstructed vehicle exhaust systems: Philadelphia and New York City, January 1996. MMWR, 1996;45(1):1-3 (PubMed record). Data year: 1996. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8531914
- 10Rao R, Touger M, Gennis P, Tyrrell J, Roche J, Gallagher EJ. Epidemic of accidental carbon monoxide poisonings caused by snow-obstructed exhaust systems. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 1997;29(2):290-292 (PubMed record; DOI 10.1016/s0196-0644(97)70284-1). Data year: not stated in abstract (published 1997). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9018198
- 11Johnson-Arbor KK, Quental AS, Li D. A comparison of carbon monoxide exposures after snowstorms and power outages. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2014;46(5):481-486 (PubMed record; DOI 10.1016/j.amepre.2014.01.006). Data year: 2011 and 2013 storms. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24745638
- 12Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. 49 CFR 571.126, Standard No. 126: Electronic stability control systems for light vehicles. Up to date as of October 1, 2026. ecfr.gov/…/section-571.126
This article reflects the safety priorities of winter roadside safety and carbon monoxide prevention. It is general safety education, not legal, medical, insurance or financial advice, and it does not replace your owner's manual. Guidance can change, so verify details with official sources. If you are stuck and in danger, call 911. For a vehicle that won't come free, contact a tow operator or roadside assistance. Ask your doctor about heavy work in the cold. Reviewed October 2026.
Cite this article: Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation. “Traction boards and sand: how to get unstuck from snow safely and avoid carbon monoxide.” drivewithcare.org, https://drivewithcare.org/traction-boards-sand-get-unstuck-from-snow-safely/. Reviewed October 2026.
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