Safe Winter Driving in Snow, Sleet & Ice
Severe winter weather can be both intimidating and dangerous for automobile travel. The Federal Highway Administration estimates that over 500,000 automobile accidents in the United States are caused each year by snow, sleet, and ice on the nation's roads, highways, and freeways. And nearly 2,000 motorists per year are killed due to these treacherous weather conditions.
Know Before You Go
During the winter season, prepare yourself to safely drive your vehicle in cold weather conditions:
- Never warm up the vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage, even with the garage door open.
- Check your vehicle’s antifreeze, battery, and windshield wiper fluid.
- Keep tires properly inflated and check the treads.
- Make sure your vehicle’s headlights, taillights, and flashers work as expected.
- Dress warmly, keep your charged cell phone by your side, make sure you have at least half a tank of gas, and bring an emergency kit with you. Include items such as blankets, jumper cables, a shovel, a flashlight, salt, and water as part of your kit.
- If planning a long-distance trip, check the weather report and delay the trip if bad road conditions are expected.
Staying Safe on the Winter Road
To help in case you encounter a dangerous situation on the road this winter, here are some winter driving tips:
- Accelerate or decelerate slowly on snow or ice. Drive slower than normal.
- The normal following distance of 4 seconds for dry pavement should be raised to 9 or 10 seconds for winter weather conditions, giving you a wider safety margin.
- Try not to power up hills, since applying extra gas on snow or ice-covered hills can start your wheels spinning. Instead, try to get more inertia prior to the hill since this momentum will help carry you to the top.
- Do not use cruise control when driving on ice and slippery surfaces.
Prepared for Winter Driving Challenges
Emergencies happen, so here are some tips to keep in mind:
- If you become snowbound, stay with your vehicle and phone for help.
- Tie a brightly covered piece of cloth to your antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled-up window to signal distress.
- Put your emergency flashers on. If possible, periodically start the engine and heater to maintain some level of warmth in your vehicle.
Review your auto insurance coverage to make sure you are covered for damage to vehicles from falling ice and tree limbs. Contact your IMT Agent if you have any questions about your car insurance policy.
