Safety Tips For Driving In Winter

You might think that driving in winter is the same as driving any other time of year. The same rules apply, right? Well, that’s part of the problem. Driving in winter can be tricky. The conditions are often dark, wet, and snowy. It can also be very dangerous. That’s because it’s usually the slowest season for road and travel conditions. The reduction in visibility, the reduced visibility due to ice, and the presence of snow all combine to make it the season with the most dangerous driving conditions. According to the Federal Highway Administration’s road weather statistics, nearly 70% of the U.S. population lives in snowy regions, making winter driving preparedness essential for most Americans. So, how can you stay safe while driving in winter? Read on to find out.

Don’t Drive If You’re Tired

It’s understandable if you want to drive when you’re tired. After all, our brains need time to process information and make decisions. When we’re under a lot of pressure, like when we’re driving, we make mistakes. When we’re tired, we’re more likely to make mistakes. The CDC identifies drowsy driving as a serious public health issue, noting that being awake for 18 consecutive hours produces impairment similar to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%. Make sure you give your body time to rest before you drive. You’re more likely to have an accident when you’re tired. Don’t wait until you’re exhausted to drive. Get in the habit of starting your drive when you’re fresh.

Get Driver Assistance

If you regularly drive in winter, you’re probably used to having driver assistance. That’s why you might not have thought to request it. That’s okay. You should always have the option to call for driver assistance. That’s what the average driver does. Most drivers call for assistance at least once a year. If you don’t, you’re putting other people at risk. It’s better to be safe than sorry. The AAA recommends having your vehicle inspected before winter arrives, covering critical components like brakes, battery, and tire tread depth. Ask your auto repair garage how they can help you out with your winter driving needs.

Watch Out For Other Road Conditions

As pleasant as it is to drive in the summer, it’s even more so when it’s cold out. The reduction in visibility, the reduction in visibility due to ice, and the presence of snow all combine to make it the season with the most dangerous driving conditions. That’s why it’s important to be aware of other road conditions. One of the most dangerous hazards is black ice — a thin, nearly invisible layer of ice that forms on road surfaces, especially on bridges and overpasses. The Federal Highway Administration notes that icy pavement is a contributing factor in more than 156,000 crashes each year. If you’re driving in snowy or icy conditions, you need to be extra careful. That means checking your blind spots, looking behind you, and making sure your wheels aren’t covered in snow or ice. If they are, put extra effort into putting your car in park so you can push it back out onto the road with ease.

Get Defensive When Driving In Winter

When it comes to winter driving, you need to be as safe as possible. That’s why you should always try to be as conservative as possible when it comes to your driving habits. That means not taking risks with your safety or the safety of others. The National Safety Council (NSC) defines defensive driving as a set of skills that allows you to defend yourself against possible collisions caused by bad drivers, drunk drivers, and poor weather. That goes for everything you do during winter too. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t use your headlights improperly while driving in snow or icy conditions. Don’t ignore your horn. Don’t leave your keys in your car when you go out for a run in winter. Don’t drive while red-lining. There are plenty of other safe ways to drive in winter. That means driving slowly and conservatively. Don’t forget to drive carefully too. Don’t endanger other road users or themselves.

What To Do If You Are Towed

If you find yourself in need of assistance, don’t panic. Check out the towing guide to see if there is anything you can do to get your towing company off to a good start. If you’re able to do so, get in touch with the towing company right away. It’s important that you do so before you start experiencing problems with your towing. If not, once you’ve been toted, you may not be able to get it back. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides consumer guidance on understanding your rights when your vehicle is towed, including the right to receive a written invoice. Make sure you get a written statement from the towing company detailing the towing process and the results. If you’re not able to get your towing company to write you a letter of reference, check out our article on how to get a written statement from a towing company.

Don’t Drink and Drive

If you’re going out for drinks with the family or for dinner with friends, don’t drive. Make sure you have a designated driver. If you don’t, you’re putting other people at risk. You don’t need to be a traffic expert to know that when one person drives while drinking, the entire flow of traffic is put at risk. That includes other drivers, pedestrians, and even car occupants. The NHTSA reports that a person with a BAC of 0.08% — the legal limit in all 50 U.S. states — has a significantly impaired ability to concentrate, control speed, and process information. Maintain your sobriety when you’re out and about. If you’re really lucky, you may not even have to take this risk when you’re out with your friends. If you’re out with the family and you have to drive them to the restaurant, you can probably make it home without a problem. It’s when you go out on your own that you need to be extremely careful.

Use Your Headlights

Your headlights are one of the most important tools you have when it comes to safe driving in winter. That’s why you need to make sure you use them properly. If you’re not using them properly, you’re putting other people at risk. Headlights are meant to illuminate the road ahead of you, not blindside other drivers or pedestrians. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that vehicles with poor headlight ratings are significantly more likely to be involved in single-vehicle nighttime crashes. If you’re driving in low light conditions and don’t have your headlights on, you’re putting yourself at a higher risk of collision. When it’s dark out, even with your headlights on, you should drive with the windshield wiper on at high speed. This will help you see ahead and avoid any problems. When it’s light out, you should also use your headlights. They’re the best tool for the job when it comes to safe driving in winter. Many modern vehicles now offer automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keeping assist systems that work in conjunction with proper headlight use — features the NHTSA encourages all drivers to use during adverse winter conditions.

Winter is an inevitable part of life. Whether you’re going out for dinner with friends or heading out on a quick drive, you need to be prepared for it. You need to be aware of the conditions and be able to take appropriate action if need be. Winter driving is not as dangerous as you might have once thought. It’s just as important, if not more, to be safe during the summer months as well. Make sure you practice safe winter driving, and you’ll be fine. For more information on how your winter driving habits can affect your auto insurance premiums, visit the Insurance Information Institute (III), which provides comprehensive resources on vehicle safety and coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most important winter driving safety tips?

The most critical winter driving safety tips are reducing your speed on snow and ice, keeping your headlights on in low visibility, maintaining a following distance of at least 8–10 seconds, and never driving while fatigued or impaired. The NHTSA, AAA, and the National Safety Council (NSC) all emphasize defensive driving as the single most effective strategy for surviving winter road conditions.

How much does winter weather increase the risk of a car accident?

Winter weather contributes to approximately 17% of all vehicle crashes in the United States each year, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Snow- and ice-related crashes result in over 116,000 injuries and more than 1,300 deaths annually. Your risk increases substantially on bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads where black ice forms first.

Should I use low beams or high beams when driving in snow?

You should use low beams when driving in snow, sleet, or fog. High beams reflect off precipitation and actually reduce your visibility. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recommends switching to low beams in any precipitation and ensuring your headlights are properly aimed and in good working condition before winter arrives.

What is black ice and how do I drive on it safely?

Black ice is a thin, transparent layer of ice that forms on road surfaces, making it nearly invisible to drivers. It most commonly appears on bridges, overpasses, and shaded sections of road. If you encounter black ice, do not brake suddenly or make sharp steering inputs — instead, ease off the accelerator, keep the steering wheel straight, and allow the vehicle to slow naturally. The FHWA identifies icy pavement as a factor in more than 156,000 crashes per year.

How does winter driving affect my car insurance rates?

Winter driving can indirectly affect your auto insurance premiums if you file claims related to winter accidents, vehicle damage from potholes, or collision incidents on icy roads. The Insurance Information Institute (III) notes that your claims history is one of the most significant factors insurers use when calculating your premium. Drivers with clean records typically pay significantly less for comprehensive and collision coverage.

Is it safe to use cruise control in winter driving conditions?

No — you should not use cruise control on snow or ice. Cruise control can cause your vehicle to accelerate unexpectedly when it detects a loss of speed from wheel slip, which can lead to loss of control. The AAA strongly advises disabling cruise control any time road surfaces are wet, snowy, or icy. Full manual throttle control gives you far better ability to respond to changing traction conditions.

What should I keep in my car for winter driving emergencies?

Every driver should maintain a winter emergency kit in their vehicle that includes an ice scraper, jumper cables, a blanket, a flashlight, road flares or reflective triangles, a small shovel, sand or kitty litter for traction, and a first-aid kit. The NHTSA and the American Red Cross both recommend keeping at least a half-tank of gas during winter months to prevent fuel line freeze and to run the heater if you become stranded.

How do I know if my tires are safe for winter driving?

Tire tread depth is the key indicator of winter readiness. Tires with less than 4/32 of an inch of tread should be replaced before winter, as they provide inadequate grip on snow and ice. You can measure tread depth with a quarter — if you can see the top of Washington’s head, the tires need replacing. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) also recommends considering dedicated winter tires, which are engineered to remain flexible in temperatures below 45°F and provide significantly better stopping distances than all-season tires.

What is the safest following distance on snow or ice?

On snow or ice, the National Safety Council recommends increasing your following distance to 8–10 seconds — compared to the standard 3-second rule on dry pavement. This is because stopping distances can increase by as much as 10 times on icy roads compared to dry conditions. Always leave more room than you think you need, and avoid sudden braking or acceleration.

Does drunk driving risk increase during winter months?

Yes — impaired driving incidents spike significantly during the winter holiday season from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. The NHTSA reports that December consistently has one of the highest rates of drunk-driving fatalities of any month, with more than 10,000 alcohol-impaired driving deaths recorded annually in the U.S. Always arrange a designated driver or use a rideshare service when consuming alcohol.