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Driving Safety Tips For Winter Weather Traveling #drivingsafety

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Driving Safety Tips For Winter Weather ~

driving safety tips winter weather and snow covered trees

Admittedly, I haven’t seen much snow this year here in North Carolina, though I did wake up to a little bit this morning. My husband is in the living room curled up on the couch next to the fireplace and my daughter is snuggled up in her bed {school is closed today due to weather conditions} and I am sitting here thinking about all of the snow we had when I lived in Virginia. My cousin, Angela, works her butt off in the cold {brrr…} clearing roads for VDOT for all of you Virginia drivers, and sometimes she sees the most spectacular snow scenes, which she has agreed to share with us today. She also sees her fair share of accidents, so we are providing you with some driving safety tips for winter weather travel.

Snow Scenes From Southwest Virginia

driving safety tips snow covered and icy roads and trees at sunrise

Though I miss the snow scenes in Southwest Virginia, I definitely DO NOT miss the icy roads {though the picture is absolutely gorgeous}. Angela and her mom live way out in the boonies, so they see this type of stuff all of the time, even when she is not at work scraping roads, cutting trees and whatever else VDOT workers due to make roads safe for travelers.

driving safety tips downed and fallen trees

driving safety tips fallen and downed trees and snow covered roads

Sadly, downed trees are just an everyday part of life living in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, especially in winter. They can make driving even more treacherous than the winter conditions already do.  If you don’t have to go out, don’t. There is nothing out there worth risking your life over. But if you absolutely must travel out into inclement weather, do so with caution and be sure to take extra measures to keep yourself and those around you safe.

 

Winter Weather Driving Safety Tips

  • Before winter arrives, make sure that your car is ready for winter travel.
  • Be sure that you are aware of weather conditions before you leave the house. Watch the news, look up the weather on the internet or TV, call friends that are along your route that you will be traveling and ask about conditions, and do whatever else you need to do to inform yourself before you leave the house.
  • Be sure to clear ALL of the snow and debris from your car. This includes the roof and headlights {even when it is not dark outside}. The snow from the roof can slide down and impede your vision. Snow on the headlights can stop other drivers from being able to see you.
  • Leave early and be sure to drive at a safe speed for the weather conditions. Slow down and don’t worry about people who drive past you or aggressive drivers. Not every driver is a safe one, so don’t judge how you should drive based on others.
  • Be sure that you and every passenger in your car is wearing their seatbelt.
  • In slick conditions, stay at least 5 seconds from the car in front of you – even more if possible. You want plenty of time to attempt to stop if you need to.
  • Stay at least 100+ feet away from VDOT trucks that are pushing snow. The materials that they spread can shatter your windshield. Do not pass one unless it is absolutely necessary.
  • Be sure to take your cell phone, wear your coat and plenty of layers, and take supplies like a flashlight, water and maybe some extra food to have in your car. If you get stranded and the conditions are bad, it may be a while before someone can get to you. You want to be as safe as possible so preparing a winter weather safety kit is important.
  • Be sure to report downed trees to your local Department of Transportation. Do not try to move them yourself.

 

driving safety tips snow covered brush and trees

driving safety tips sunrise over fallen trees

These pictures are gorgeous, but they are not worth risking your life over. If you do not have to go out, stay home. If you must go out, please follow these tips outlined above.

 


 
All photography provided courtesy of Angela Hylton. Please do not reproduce or use without express written permission.

Do You Have Any Winter Weather Driving Safety Tips To Share?

 

About Dawn McAlexander

Dawn is a full time writer and content creator. Besides Cheap Is The New Classy, she also owns and writes for EatPlayRock.com, an entertainment site. Her interests include traveling, attending music events, DIY projects and reading. Dawn has a B.S. in Psychology and currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, Kenny, their dog, Marley, and their cat, TJ.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sharon says

    Y’ou’re right – these are gorgeous photos! But I’m one of those people in Kentucky who just prefers to stay off the roads when it’s icy. Thanks for the tips!

  2. Savannah miller says

    I live in PA we get our fair share of snow too. My little sister is learning to drive and I’m always given her tips on what to do and not do. I’m not sure how accurate this is…. At least I hope its accurate because I told her this, but I don’t think you are ever suppose to break on ice. When I was learning to drive no one told me this and I tried to break to stop myself from slipping on ice and my entire car spun around and almost went into a tree.

    • Dawn McAlexander says

      Yeah, I think you are supposed to let off the gas and drive into the direction of the slide to try to regain control of the car. However, I think that now it depends on the car. I think some you are supposed to pump the brake and some you don’t touch the brake at all. I think checking the owner’s manual is the best bet on that.

      My daughter is learning to drive now, too. I hope we teach them well. 🙂

      Dawn

    • Dawn McAlexander says

      For real! It always scares me when I see cars zip passed me at what appear to be the normal speed limit or even higher! I just know I will see them wrecked further down the road.

      Dawn

  10. Kecia says

    We don’t get a lot of snow here in GA, but it’s still nice to read these tips. Those not used to driving in snow need to be even more careful when they are faced with it, IMO.

  11. lisa says

    I didn’t know you used to live in Virginia. Luckily we didn’t really have snow this year.Lots of ice,which I don’t like driving on. Thanks for the tips.

    • Dawn McAlexander says

      No problem! Yes, I lived in Virginia most of my life actually. I lived in a few different places in Southwest Virginia. 🙂

      Dawn

  13. Darlene Ysaguirre says

    We are stationed here in Virginia and it snows just a little .WE move back to Los Angeles This year and i cant wait because im not built for the snow lol

  17. Kelley Johnsen says

    Beautiful Pictures! These are wonderful tips for safe driving, thank you for sharing them. Because we seldom get snow, I stay in on the snow days. People never drive safely when they are not use to it.

  21. Jenn @comebackmomma says

    What amazing photos. I am a whimp when it comes to winter driving. I usually stay home if the snow gets too bad or the streets are not clear. Excellent tips to help keep people safe.

  22. Esther Cerecedo says

    WOW! Amazing pictures, I love them! I live in Arizona so we do not see much snow here although it did snow very little a couple days ago but melted right away when I started raining right after. Thank you for sharing the safety tips 😀

  24. Emily says

    I prefer to stay inside during the nasty winter weather. People often forget that you need to slow down in the snowy weather.

    • Jakob says

      Winter season is likely the most difficult and dangerous weather of all, I guess. As for mine, I tend to ensure that my engine is perfectly fine, specially the tires. I have winter tires, just in case the road is quite unusual. Thanks for the great tips!

  25. Nikki says

    I love those pictures! They’re gorgeous, albeit a little scary too. I live in the Poconos, an area known for its snow. I am terrified to drive in the snow, though. Your tips are so helpful! Thank you!

  26. Anne says

    Thanks for the tips. We’re having our third weekend in a row with a snowstorm! One of the most important things is to have good snow tires.

  28. Tiffany C. says

    Winter can make for such pretty scenery but you’re right, it’s so dangerous. I remember when I was little and we went to Yosemite in the winter. My dad was forced to put snow chains on the tires of our mini van. This post reminded me of that.

  29. Angela says

    When I lived in upstate NY, I stayed off the roads as much as possible during the winter. Now that I am in GA, I miss the snow. This is really important info that you shared!

  31. Gena says

    These tips are great. We don’t have snow or ice much, but it’s amazing how many Texans think they can just go out and drive on that stuff! ha! Thanks for sharing

  32. Crissy says

    Looks familiar! I’ve lived through many winters that look like this, so glad we haven’t had a storm that bad this year. Great pics!

  35. Maria says

    These are awesome tips. I try to live by them too! Those pictures are gorgeous, and so scary at the same time. Angela is a great photographer! Tell her we said thank you for showing us what nature is really capable of doing. People please please please pay attention when you’re driving, and they’re right. If you do not have to go out don’t!

    • Dawn McAlexander says

      Amen! Stay inside if you don’t have to go out and I will be sure to pass the message on. 🙂

      Dawn

  37. Elle says

    Some really good tips there. That said…I think I’ll just stay home and not bother about all that. Much safer for me and any folks that have to be out there.

  38. Brett says

    Thanks for the wonderful tips, it was not easy to deal with a bad weather so it’s better to know these safety tips.

  39. Anonymous says

    Just would like to add, it is good to keep your oil tank full while driving through snows at winter. It will hep to keep your car warm and also it will add some extra wight which will help you to drive through snow.

  40. Sherry Compton says

    Good points. Winter is tricky. Icy patches can suddenly appear and get you sliding. Your tires may not grip or your lights work. Try to prepare beforehand. Pack an emergency kit for winter survival. Always have an ice scraper, cell phone, charger, flashlight, batteries, and some food and water. Better to pack more ham you’ll ever need than regret it later. Drive safe.

    • Dawn McAlexander says

      Yes definitely. I had to replace tires before two trips recently {a different one each time}. Both trips could have ended in disaster had we not checked the tires as one was actually splitting!

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