Winter Safety Driving Tips: Stay Alert For Snow and Slippery Roads

If you live in a place with cold and snowy winter weather, you probably know all about the perils of driving in the snow. In fact, the first snowfall of the year is too often accompanied by a flurry of traffic accidents. Instead of just dreading the white stuff, prepare yourself for winter safety driving tips! 

Inspect the Uninspected

First things first: make sure you have your inspection. Routine car inspections are vital to your car’s health. Tire tread, battery, wipers, coolant… mechanics inspect all these things, and they all are important in winter driving. A great way to check your tire treads on your own is to try the “penny test.” Stick a penny between the grooves of a tire. If you can’t see Lincoln’s head, you’ve got safe traction. But if you can see it, your tires are getting too bald. Proper traction makes a world of difference when you’re trying to avoid sliding on snow and ice.

You also need to make sure your car battery is in good shape. If your battery health is in the yellow or red, cold weather will make it increasingly difficult to start your car.  On top of that, a good inspection will make sure the wipers don’t leave streaks and the windshield won’t freeze or fog. You also may need to replace dimming headlight bulbs. When driving in the snow, visibility is key!

Time is of the Essence

Now that your car is in ideal condition, let’s talk about careful planning. In the winter, it’s important to allow for extra time. Leave earlier than usual so you won’t have to rush in risky conditions. 

Leaving earlier doesn’t just help you drive at a safe speed. You’ll also need time to clear the snow from your car. Be sure to scrape the snow and ice off of each window completely. If you park your car outside, before you start up, make sure your exhaust pipe isn’t blocked or covered with snow. It could cause carbon monoxide to enter your vehicle, which can quickly become deadly. And don’t forget to remove any snow from the top of your car. Once you start driving, the snow will blow off the roof, and if it lands on the windshield of the driver behind you, it can spell danger!

Them’s the Brakes

On the road, increase the distance between you and the car in front of you. In icy, slippery weather, you need more time to brake. The extra distance could save you from a wreck. When braking in winter weather, apply pressure slowly and steadily. That way, you won’t risk your brakes locking up and causing you to skid.   

The Whole Kit and Kaboodle

It’s always a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your car. Include things like a blanket, flashlights, jumper cables, flares or some type of emergency light. If you end up stuck and you need to call a tow truck, you want to stay warm while you wait. Temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit can quickly become dangerous. You’ll also want to make sure your gas tank is never below half-full. Your fuel pump relies on pressure from the gas in the tank to function, and in cold weather, this pressure can get too low if you don’t stay on top of it.

The Bottom Line

Winter driving brings unique challenges, with weather conditions significantly increasing the likelihood of accidents. In fact, 24% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement, and 15% happen during snowfall or sleet. These statistics underscore the importance of being prepared—not only with safe driving habits but also with reliable auto insurance coverage.

Don’t let winter weather leave you vulnerable. With the right auto insurance policy, you can navigate icy roads with confidence, knowing you’re financially protected against unexpected accidents or damages.

Stay safe and ensure your winter driving season is worry-free!