Winter Weather Toolkit: What You Need For Safe Travels
Driving in the winter can present challenges that make getting to your destination safely more difficult, like icy roads, reduced visibility, and unpredictable weather. Having a winter weather kit in your vehicle can be a crucial resource for safe travel and being ready for any hazards that come up while you’re driving in the winter. Know what to keep in your car or winter preparedness toolkit so you’re never stuck without, especially while waiting in the cold.
Winter Roads, Real Risks
The impact of winter weather on american roads
- 70% of American roads are located in snowy regions
- An average of 562,182 Americans get into winter weather-related car crashes each year.
- On average, 138,735 American motorists are injured in wintry weather every year.
- 1,705 Americans are killed in winter weather conditions per year, on average.
Why Winter Weather Travel Can Be So Dangerous
Winter driving brings added risks, including reduced visibility, slippery roads, and slower travel speeds. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that about 18 percent of crashes occur in poor weather conditions such as freezing rain or snow. These conditions can force drivers to reduce speed, create congestion, and make it harder to see the road ahead.
In the winter, roads can be wet, covered in ice or snow, or freeze with black ice, making them appear clear when they’re actually very icy. The winter has reduced daylight hours, sometimes getting dark before 5 p.m., and if the weather is bad, snow or fog can make it hard to see. According to the Federal Highway Administration, about 13 percent of weather-related car crashes in the U.S. happen on icy pavement, while another 16 percent occur on snowy or slushy roads.
In Utah and Idaho, some areas are densely populated while others are remote, with long stretches of highway lacking nearby services. If you’re involved in a winter accident on one of these rural roads, severe weather can make it especially difficult for emergency responders to reach you quickly.
Some of the most dangerous roads to be on in the winter in Utah and Idaho are:
- I-80
- Highway 55
- Highway 75
- I-15
- Highway 6
Essential Winter Weather Tools to Keep in Your Car
If you’re driving in cold weather, there are some things to keep in your car in case of any emergencies or vehicle breakdowns. Having these items on hand can be the difference between being stuck for an extended period of time or even staying warm while waiting for help. When driving in the winter, always keep these items in your vehicle.
Emergency Supplies
In cold months, always keep a blanket, a flashlight, extra batteries, non-perishable snacks, water, and a first aid kit in your car. Ideally, you should have all of these items in your car at all times, just in case of an accident or vehicle breakdown.
Car Safety Gear
If your car breaks down during a snowstorm, tools like an ice scraper, snow brush, tire chains, jumper cables, tow strap, and portable shovel can all save the day.
Tech and Communication
Keep a paper map in your vehicle just in case you lose signal or your phone dies. These can be found for free at any state rest stop off the highway. Always keep a phone charger or portable charger in your vehicle to keep your phone from dying and fully charge it before a long winter drive. You can also keep an emergency radio in your car to get updates in cases of weather emergencies if your car won’t start.
Personal Safety Items
Extra clothes, gloves, boots, hats, scarves, or coats you don’t regularly wear should be kept in your car during the winter months. You never know when your car could break down or how long you might be stuck there, and having extra layers of clothing can save your life. You can also keep hand or foot warmers in your vehicle to use in case of an emergency.
Preparing Your Car for Winter Travel
Before the winter weather hits, there are a few things to check on your vehicle that can keep you safer on the roads, no matter how cold it gets. To get ready for winter driving, be sure to check your tire tread, and consider winter tires if you’re in the mountains.
All of your vehicle’s fluids, including brake fluid, antifreeze, and windshield washer fluid, should be topped off. After checking your fluids, inspect your brakes and wiper blades for replacement. You’ll want to keep your windshield as clear as possible, especially with salt present. Stopping on ice is already difficult enough, let alone with poor brakes or bald tires adding to it.
If you drive a diesel, anti-gel fuel additives can be added to your tank during the winter months to keep your tank filter clear. In the winter, it’s also smart to keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent damage to your engine.
Tips for Driving Safely in Winter Weather
Driving in the snowy, icy weather can cause dangerous conditions, increase the risk of an accident, and, if your vehicle becomes disabled, leave you in the cold. On average, over 3,800 people are killed and over 268,000 people are injured in weather-related crashes each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Some tips to drive safely in the winter include:
- Slow down and increase the distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
- Avoid using cruise control while on wet or icy roads.
- Braking and accelerating gently.
- Plan your route ahead of time and check on weather and road conditions.
What To Do If You’re Stranded in the Winter
If you ever find yourself stranded after your vehicle breaks down during winter, having safety tools, extra water and food, and extra layers is essential, especially in Utah and Idaho. If you’re unable to move your car during a snowstorm, you should:
- Stay with your vehicle: Don’t walk away from your vehicle and further into the cold. The weather can quickly become an emergency, and walking along the road during winter weather is extra dangerous with limited visibility for drivers.
- Keep your exhaust pipe clear of snow: If snow is beginning to pile up while you’re parked, make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of snow. If your pipe is blocked while your vehicle is running, carbon monoxide can begin to build up in the vehicle and be fatal.
- Run your engine periodically for warmth: Don’t leave your car running the entire time, or you can use all of your gas too quickly. Turn your car on for long enough to warm it up and yourself, but don’t leave it on.
- Use hazard lights/flares: Keep your hazards flashing while waiting, and use flares to keep yourself visible to other drivers.
Stay Safe and Prepared This Winter
If you or a loved one will drive in winter weather this year, share this toolkit with them. It never hurts to be overprepared, especially when it comes to your safety. If you don’t drive in the cold often but might someday, bookmark or save this page as a resource.
No matter how much anyone prepares, accidents happen and can’t always be avoided. If you’ve been injured after an accident on the road, you don’t have to face the fight for compensation alone.
At Feller & Wendt, LLC™, we bring over 70 years of combined experience in defending clients and safeguarding their rights across Utah, Idaho, and Arizona. Our team delivers top-notch client service while tirelessly advocating for our clients’ rights throughout every stage of the legal process.
Contact our firm today to receive a free case evaluation or call at (801) 499-5060.
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