Abstract: A traction pad for use with vehicle tires on slippery road surfaces, the pad having a rectangular plastic mat portion with one end provided with a wedge shape. The tire facing surface of the mat, including the wedge portion, is provided with groups of substantially conically shaped projections. The opposite road facing surface of the mat portion is provided with like projections, with the wedge portion of the road facing surface being provided with longitudinal ribs. The size of the conical projections within each group is uniform, with one group size being larger than an adjacent group, the larger group being further from the wedge portion. A cooperating metallic starter plate is disposed on the wedge portions, being bent over the one end so that the conical projections on the wedge portion of the tire facing surface extend into openings in one side of the plate, and the ribs on the wedge portion of the road facing surface extend between grooves in the other side of the plate.