Winter Driving Safety

Winter driving can be challenging even for the experienced driver. Snow, ice, freezing rain, wind and reduced visibility can make it harder to control your vehicle and give you less time to react to hazards. For new drivers, winter can be especially challenging because they may not have experience recognizing or responding to changing road conditions.

The good news? A little preparation can go a long way. Before you head out, check the weather and road conditions, make sure your vehicle is ready, and give yourself plenty of extra time. If conditions are severe or travel isn’t necessary, staying home may be the safest choice!

Before You Hit the Road

* Check the weather and road conditions. Look at the forecast before leaving and know what conditions you may encounter. If roads are in poor shape or a major storm is expected, consider postponing non-essential travel.¹ A good resource is New England 511 where you can view road cameras that show what the roads look like, alert you of accidents or road closures, and have weather station data that will tell you the air and road temperatures.

* Give yourself extra time. Winter conditions can slow down your trip, so leave early enough that you don’t feel pressured to rush.²

* Clear off your entire vehicle. Remove snow and ice from your windshield, windows, mirrors, headlights, taillights, roof and hood before driving. In New Hampshire, Jessica’s Law requires drivers to remove accumulated snow and ice from their vehicles.³ Failure to do so can result in fines. Snow or ice on your vehicle can reduce visibility or become a hazard for other drivers.

* Check your vehicle. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and have adequate tread. Check your windshield, wipers, lights, battery, fluids, and other important vehicle systems.¹

* Keep your gas tank at least half full when possible. This gives you more flexibility if you become delayed or stranded during winter weather.²

* Keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle. Consider carrying:

Safe Winter Driving Habits

Slow Down
Snow and ice can make it harder to control or stop your vehicle. Slow down and adjust your speed to the road and weather conditions.¹

Leave Extra Space
Increase the distance between you and the vehicle ahead. Slippery roads increase stopping distances, so extra space gives you more time to react and stop.¹

In poor winter conditions, the National Safety Council recommends allow as much as 8-10 seconds of following distance.²

Brake and Accelerate Gradually
Avoid sudden braking, acceleration, and steering. Begin braking earlier because it takes longer to stop on slippery roads.⁴

Skip the Cruise Control
Don’t use cruise control on slippery roads. Staying actively engaged with your vehicle allows you to respond to changing road conditions.4 This applies to driving in the rain, also, to prevent hydroplaning.

Use Your Lights
Use your headlights when visibility is reduced. Headlights can help you see and help other drivers see you.⁵

Watch for Icy Areas
Bridges and overpasses can freeze before other sections of the road. Use extra caution when temperatures are near or below freezing.⁵

Give Snowplows Room
Snowplows travel slowly, make wide turns, stop frequently, and may move across lanes. Stay well behind them and use caution if passing.¹

If Your Vehicle Starts to Slide

If your vehicle begins to slide, stay calm and avoid sudden movements.

• • Take your foot off of the accelerator.⁴
• • Don’t slam on the brakes.⁴
• • Look and steer in the direction you want to go.⁴
• • Wait for the tires to regain traction.⁴
• • Once traction returns, gently apply the accelerator if needed.⁴

Practice before you need the skill. New drivers can benefit from supervised practice in winter conditions. Practice starting, stopping, and turning at low speeds in a safe, open area without traffic or obstacles.⁴ Each vehicle handles differently in the snow based on tire type, drivetrain (AWD, front, rear, 4WD), and vehicle weight/height. Make a point to (safely) put your vehicle into a slide whether going forward, reverse, or cornering and attempt to regain control. Knowing what it feels like to slide and how to recover will help make it more manageable when it happens in real life situations.

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