Driving in a Winter Wonderland

When winter weather blankets the landscape with ice and snow, it can be a beautiful time for a stroll through the neighborhood. But avoid driving further afield unless absolutely necessary. Follow these safety tips if it is necessary to drive in winter conditions

Driving basics

• Keep your gas tank close to full if the forecast calls for winter weather, even with a hybrid-electric vehicle. If you get stuck in a traffic jam or in snow, you might need more fuel than you anticipated to get home or to keep warm.
• If road conditions are hazardous, avoid driving if possible. Wait until road and weather conditions improve before venturing out in your vehicle.
• If you do have to drive, stay alert! Do not text or engage in any activities that may distract you while driving.
• Obey all posted speed limits, but drive even slower if necessary for weather conditions. It’s harder to control or stop your vehicle on a slick or snow-covered surface. On the road, increase your following distance enough so that you’ll have plenty of time to stop for vehicles ahead of you.
• Know whether your vehicle has an antilock brake system and learn how to use it properly. Antilock brake systems prevent your wheels from locking up during braking. If you have antilock brakes, apply firm, continuous pressure to the brake pedal. If you don’t have antilock brakes, you may need to pump your brakes if you feel your wheels starting to lock up.
• Drive sober. Alcohol and drugs impair perception, judgment, motor skills, and memory – the skills critical for safe and responsible driving.

Navigating around snow plows

• Don’t crowd a snow plow or travel beside it. Snow plows travel slowly, make wide turns, stop often, overlap lanes, and exit the road frequently.
• The road behind an active snow plow is safer to drive on. If you find yourself behind a snow plow, stay behind it or use caution when passing.
• When you are driving behind a snow plow, don’t follow or stop too closely. A snow plow operator’s field-of-vision is limited; if you can't see the mirrors, the driver can't see you. Also, materials used to de-ice the road could hit your vehicle.
• Snow plows can throw up a cloud of snow that can reduce your visibility to zero in less time than you can react. Never drive into a snow cloud — it can conceal vehicles or hazards.

What to do in a winter emergency

If you are stopped or stalled in wintry weather, follow these safety rules:

• Stay with your car and don’t overexert yourself.
• Put bright markers on the antenna or windows and keep the interior dome light turned on.
• To avoid asphyxiation from carbon monoxide poisoning, don’t run your car for long periods of time with the windows up or in an enclosed space. If you must run your vehicle, clear the exhaust pipe of any snow and run it only sporadically — just long enough to stay warm.

—National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Visit nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips for more winter weather driving and car maintenance tips.