Winter travel can poise dangers due to colder temperatures and slick surfaces. Proper preparation and extra caution can be exercised to mitigate some of the risk.  Knowledge of the road conditions and weather forecast is important. Visible Ice is far more dangerous to travel on then snow and black ice presents an unseen danger but can be anticipated. We will go over ways you can prepare and negate risk.

Winter Driving Vehicle Preparation

1. Ensure vehicle has all necessary fluids. Make sure oil, transmission fluid, Coolant, and wiper fluid are all within acceptable ranges. Carry extra if possible
2. Wiper Blades in satisfactory condition
3. Pay attention to strength of battery when cranking. Batteries normally weaken in Cold temperatures. If possible, carry a battery jump box
4. Verify Heat is working. If you were to become stranded for some reason, then this could save your life
5. Full tank of fuel with proper fuel additives if needed. Diesel below a certain temperature needs an additive to prevent it from developing gel like consistency
6. Tire tread is important and if you don’t have proper tread then you should maybe stay home

Items to Include in Vehicle for Winter Driving Safety

1. Extra Fluids for Vehicle operation
2. Ice Scrapper
3. Rain-X drastically helps by repelling rain, sleet, and snow
4. Battery jumper box or cables. Prefer lithium powered jump box. (Optional Equipment)
5. Warm blanket and emergency space blanket
6. Water and emergency food to supply you for 48 hours
7. Extra phone charging cord or bank
8. Hot hands – hand warmers. Can be emergency source of heat. (Optional Equipment)
9. First Aid kit
10. Cat litter for traction. If you get stuck it can absorb moisture or wet snow providing traction.
11. Small Emergency shovel if you need to dig yourself out from deep snow. (Optional Equipment)

Planning for Winter Driving

Check weather for the next 48 hours prior to your departure. You will want to dress warmly regardless of how short your trip is. You need to be able to survive if something happens to your vehicle. If temperatures are slightly above freezing during the day, then snow or ice may have melted. This moisture will now refreeze to form Ice if temperature drops below freezing at night. Ice is far more treacherous to travel on then snow and I would advise to avoid travel on Ice if possible. 

1. Avoid:  blizzard and pure ice type of conditions. 4WD is still dangerous on Ice.
2. Know your High and low temperatures for 48 hours out.
3. Dress for conditions necessary for survival without shelter of vehicle
4. Plan your route on well-traveled roads
5. Travel during daylight hours  
6. Travel with someone if possible and notify someone of your travel
7. Necessary safety equipment and pre-trip inspection

Winter Driving Tips

1. Increase your follow distance to around 8 to 10 seconds. Better to have too much room to stop then not enough.  Look far ahead.
2. Steer into direction of skids
3. Try to stay off the brake as much as possible due to skidding. Try to coast to a stop. Keep it smooth.
4. Gear down before going down hills so the transmission can control the speed.
5. Avoid using cruise control.
6. Try not to stop going up hills.
7. Drive in the tire tracks of others for snow may pull vehicle. 
8. If you come to a stop for any reason, then immediately put on hazard lights to warn drivers behind you. 
9. Anticipate Red lights and stopping.