For some states, winter driving doesn't offer much of a difference from summer driving. Snow and ice are a novelty. For the rest of the country, winter driving conditions can appear before the leaves have changed colors and started falling.
The best solution for avoiding a crash on snow-covered or icy roads is not driving during inclement weather. Sometimes, that's not an option, especially around the holiday season.
More vehicles on the road, combined with the onset of winter conditions, increases the chance you'll be visiting an auto body repair shop or a mechanic soon. There are a few safe winter driving steps you can take to reduce that probability.
Winter Driving Tips and Common Sense
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), driving on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement is responsible for almost 25% of weather-related accidents each year. More than 2 billion is spent on ice and snow operations each year in the United States.
Despite the money and effort, chances are that you'll end up driving in wintry conditions during the winter months. While no plans or preparations guarantee an incident-free season, adapting your driving habits for inclement weather and less-than-optimal road conditions can go a long way toward helping you avoid fender-benders and unwanted off-road adventures.
7 Tips for Winter Driving
Whether the snow is already on the roads or making it difficult to see as it falls, winter driving presents challenges and obstacles that differ from the rest of the year. Some safety ideas are evergreen, such as always wearing a seatbelt regardless of where you're sitting in a moving vehicle. Here are some suggestions on both preparation and driving techniques.
1) Stock and Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter Conditions
If you're planning on taking a long walk when the temperature is below zero, you wouldn't go out without a warm coat, a hat, proper footwear, and maybe a scarf. It's a good idea to employ the same type of thinking to prepare your car for the rigors and dangers of driving during winter.
Getting stuck in due to snow or ice isn't likely, but you should be prepared if it does occur. And sure, you may have a cell phone handy, but it may take some time for help to arrive, particularly in bad conditions. Consider keeping the following items in your vehicle in case of winter driving issues, although some are a good idea to have all year around:
- A snow shovel
- Sand/kitty litter/road salt
- Blankets
- Water
- Non-perishable food like energy bars, jerky, etc.
- Extra clothing like hats, mittens, foul-weather boots, rain ponchos, etc.
- An emergency kit that includes any necessary medication
- A first aid kit
- A flashlight
- Jumper cables
- A cell phone charger
- More than one ice scraper
Making sure your vehicle is ready for winter conditions is also recommended. This includes:
- Changing to winter tires
- Checking the tread on your tires (anything above 4/32nds of an inch is optimal; if you don't have a tire depth measurer, you can use the Penny Test) and getting new tires if necessary
- Checking your tire pressure with a tire pressure gauge
- Checking levels of antifreeze and windshield washer fluid
- Checking the status of your windshield wipers
- Checking headlights and taillights
After you've had an accident or slid off the winter roads is too late to worry about being prepared. Hopefully you won't have any issues, but if you do you'll be glad you took the time to cover your bases.
2) Clean ALL the Snow Off Your Vehicle Before Driving
When it's cold weather and the wind is cutting through your clothes like a knife, it's tempting to clear just enough off your windshield and back glass to see. The better decision is to remove all the snow and ice from your vehicle before you start driving. The obvious reason is to keep from having snow slide off the roof and obscure your vision.
However, it's also against the law to drive without clearing the snow in some places. Drivers who have snow and ice fly off their vehicles face fines and citations. They may also be liable for damage the pieces cause to other vehicles and property.
Endure the freezing temperatures and clean off your vehicle. If you have room to store it, a small broom can make the process quicker and easier.
3) Check the Weather Forecast/Road Conditions
When faced with bad weather and dangerous road conditions, ask yourself this question before heading out - do I really need to make this trip? If the answer is either no or maybe, postponing your plans until the weather clears or the slippery roads are plowed is a good option.
If a snowstorm hits while you're at work, consider delaying long enough to let the plows make the roads more passable. Consider the vehicle you're driving as well. A heavy vehicle with either all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive is better suited for braving icy roads than a front-wheel drive compact car.
4) Be Prepared To Take The Wheel
Self-driving cars offer the luxury of handling the driving chores, but are they capable of adjusting for sleet and snowy weather? The technology is amazing and continues to improve, but you might be better off doing the driving yourself.
Visibility and identifying the condition of the roads are an important part of driving in bad weather. Snowfall is unpredictable and the flakes aren't of a uniform size. These conditions are a challenge for self-driving vehicles. Even Testa's driver's manual warns that poor weather conditions can significantly degrade performance. If you feel comfortable driving in snowy weather, you might want to take over.
5) Leave Extra Space Between Yourself and the Vehicle In Front of You
It's an indisputable fact that it will take you longer to slow down or stop on an icy road. When it comes to black ice, all-wheel drive won't always bail you out if you're tailgating. In almost all accidents involving rear-end collisions, the fault is on the vehicle behind the other one.
No matter how new your tires are or what braking system your vehicle has, the laws of physics tell us that your ability to stop is hindered on snow and ice. It's a simple driving safety to know that staying farther back gives you additional distance and time to avoid a collision.
It's also advisable to give extra space to a snow plow or sanding vehicle in front of you. The sand and salt being spread damage your car's paint if you're too close.
6) Slow Down
Slow down. It's a simple idea, but that doesn't make it any less effective. You don't have to drive at the speed limit, and if you do under dangerous conditions law enforcement can ticket you for reckless driving. Posted minimum speed limits are often ignored in bad weather.
This is especially important for on-ramps and off-ramps for highways. These often contain sharp turns, inclines, and declines. They usually don't get attention until after the highway is plowed and treated. Hitting one at a high rate of speed is a recipe for trouble. Reducing speed allows you to stay safe on the road.
7) Pump Your Brake Pedal
Braking technology continues to advance and improve, but ice and snow remain difficult foes. Experienced drivers know that slamming on and holding your brakes in wintery conditions leads to skids that are difficult to control. Even with anti-lock brakes, which pulse on and off rather than locking into place, pumping the brakes to slow down and stop is the best way to stop.
Arriving Safely
Driving during winter weather is more dangerous than at other times of the year, but doing so with common sense can help you get to where you need to go without an incident. Heeding simple safety tips can make a big difference. Keep in mind that you're important to a lot of people, so take extra time to be careful when dealing with ice and snow.
Related Resources
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: First Steps (Downloadable Checklist)
- Car Accident Liability (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
- How Not to Get Injured While Tailgating (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
