Staying Safe on the Road This Winter
Winter weather brings challenges that can make driving dangerous for even the most experienced drivers. Snow, ice, and reduced visibility create hazardous conditions that lead to a significant spike in car accidents every year. According to the Federal Highway Administration, 24% of weather-related crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement, resulting in over 116,800 injuries annually. Staying safe on the road during the winter requires preparation, vigilance, and an understanding of how to handle potential hazards.
This guide explores how driving in snow and other winter conditions can cause car accidents, offers tips for preparing your vehicle, shares best practices for road safety, and provides recovery advice for the possible eventuality that things go wrong.
The Dangers of Winter Driving
Winter driving conditions increase the likelihood of accidents due to:
- Reduced Traction: Snowy and icy roads drastically reduce tire grip, leading to longer braking distances and a higher risk of skidding.
- Decreased Visibility: Fog, snowstorms, and shorter daylight hours impair a driver’s ability to see obstacles or hazards. Additionally, windshields covered with salt and other winter driving debris can reduce visibility further.
- Sudden Weather Changes: Winter storms and squalls can develop alarmingly quickly, catching drivers unprepared.
Being aware of these risks is the first step toward staying safe on winter roads. It’s also critical to ensure that your vehicle is always ready to weather the weather.
Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter
A well-maintained vehicle is essential for navigating challenging winter road conditions. Here’s how to prepare:
1. Check Your Tires:
- Ensure that your tires have adequate tread depth (at least 6/32 inches for snowy conditions).
- Consider switching to winter tires designed for better traction in snow and ice.
- Check tire pressure regularly, as it decreases in colder temperatures. Your tires are imprinted with the recommended pressure so that you can fill to that level.
2. Inspect Your Battery:
- Cold weather can reduce battery capacity. Have it tested to ensure that it holds a charge.
3. Top Off Fluids:
- Refill windshield washer fluid with a formula designed for freezing temperatures.
- Ensure that engine coolant levels are adequate and mixed for cold weather.
4. Test Lights and Wipers:
- Replace wiper blades if they leave streaks or are more than six months old.
- Confirm that all lights are functioning to maintain visibility.
5. Keep an Emergency Kit:
- Include essentials like a flashlight, blankets, non-perishable snacks, water, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, kitty litter (for traction if stuck in the snow), and a snow shovel.
Best Practices for Safe Winter Driving
Adjusting your driving habits for winter road conditions is essential to avoiding accidents. Follow these tips when driving in snow or other winter weather:
1. Give Yourself Extra Time:
- Leave earlier so you can properly prepare your car and also take your time traveling.
2. Clear Your Car of Snow and Ice:
- Only drive once the snow and ice have been sufficiently cleared from your vehicle so that you don’t impede other drivers’ visibility as the snow moves off your car – and also so that you don’t send icy projectiles into the road.
- Ensure that your mirrors are clean so you have full visibility.
3. Slow Down
- Reduced speed gives you more time to react to unexpected situations.
4. Increase Following Distance:
- Maintain at least 6-8 seconds between you and the car ahead to allow ample stopping time.
5. Turn Off Cruise Control:
- On snowy and icy roads, cruise control can cause your vehicle to accelerate inappropriately, increasing the risk of losing control.
6. Accelerate and Brake Gradually:
- Avoid sudden movements that could cause your tires to lose traction.
7. Stay Alert:
- Keep distractions to a minimum and stay focused on the road and surrounding conditions.
8. Avoid Sudden Lane Changes
- Gradual movements prevent skidding and maintain stability.
9. Keep Your Tank Full:
- A full tank prevents fuel lines from freezing and ensures that you won’t run out of gas if stuck in traffic or a snowbank.
Recovering From a Skid
Despite your best efforts while driving during snowy or icy weather, skidding can still happen. Knowing how to recover can make all the difference:
1. Rear-Wheel Skid:
- Take your foot off the accelerator.
- Steer gently in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If the rear wheels are sliding left, turn left; if they’re sliding right, turn right. If the rear wheels change direction as you recover, follow that direction with the front wheels.
- Avoid slamming the brakes.
2. Front-Wheel Skid:
- Ease off the accelerator.
- Shift to neutral (if possible) and let the car slow down naturally.
- Steer in the direction you want to go once traction is regained.
3. Stay Calm:
- Panicking can lead to overcorrecting, which worsens the skid.
Additional Considerations
- Monitor Weather Conditions:
- Always check the weather forecast before you drive, no matter how long or short the distance. Additionally, consider delaying travel if the weather is severe.
- Plan Your Route:
- Stick to major roads, which are more likely to be plowed and treated.
- Equip Your Vehicle With Chains:
- If driving in heavy snow or mountainous areas, chains provide extra traction.
Related: Common Delayed Injuries After a Car Accident and Why Proper Injury Care Is Essential
What to Do If the Worst Happens
Even with cautious driving and careful injury prevention, accidents can happen. When they do, it’s essential to prioritize recovery. Excelsia is here to help if you or a loved one becomes involved in a car accident this winter. Our rehabilitation services focus on helping you regain strength, mobility, and confidence after an injury.
Stay Safe This Winter
Winter driving doesn’t have to be daunting if you’re prepared and informed. By following these best practices for road safety and accident prevention, you can minimize risks and enjoy a safe journey this season. If you find yourself in need of rehabilitation after an accident, reach out to Excelsia Injury Care for compassionate, expert care. Together, we’ll help you get back on the road to recovery.