Winter storms, bad weather, and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, according to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
Cold Weather Driving Tips:
Keep cold-weather gear in your car, food, and water, warm clothing, a flashlight, a glass scraper, blankets, medications.
Check your tires are properly inflated and have plenty of tread, at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times, never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, and don’t use cruise control when driving on ice and snow.
Tips for Driving in the Snow:
Stay home if possible, drive slowly, accelerate and decelerate slowly, increase your following distance, know how your brakes respond, don’t stop if you can avoid it, don’t power up hills, and don’t stop going up a hill.
Tips for Long-Distance Winter Trips
Be prepared, check the weather, and stay connected to friends and family.
If you get stuck in the snow:
Stay with your vehicle, don’t over exert yourself, be visible, clear the exhaust pipe, stay warm, and conserve fuel.
