10 Life-Saving Tips While Driving in the Snow

Key Takeaways

• These tips for driving safely in Michigan snow could save your life.
• Understanding the risks of driving during Michigan winters can help you prepare effectively.
• You need an emergency kit, a cell phone, and the right skills to navigate the roadways safely when the weather gets bad.
• If you’re injured in a winter car accident, contact our car accident attorneys for help filing your claim.

Driving in the snow can be very dangerous due to skidding, getting stuck, and increased accidents. If these kinds of winter conditions are ready to materialize, start wearing your warm clothes, dig out the ice scraper, fire up those snowplows, and familiarize yourself with the following winter driving tips.

We have collected ten life-saving tips for driving in the snow to help you reduce your risk of being involved in a weather-related motor vehicle crash. However, we understand that accidents happen. If at any point another motor vehicle hits you this winter, Matz Injury Law will be here to help. Call our law office today at 1-866-22Not33 or use our contact form.

How Many Car Accidents Occur Because of Icy Roads?

Car crashes frequently happen due to snow and ice. For example, between Dec. 11 and Dec. 12, 2024, 86 crashes occurred in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties alone. Icy roads are particularly dangerous since ice is difficult to see and increases the risk of skidding.

10 Safety Tips You Need to Know for Driving in the Snow

To stay safe while driving in snowy conditions or on slippery roads, it is a good idea to take precautionary measures and follow good driving practices for wintry weather.

1. Prepare Your Vehicle

Before the first snowfall, check that all of your car parts, including your brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, heater, tires, and exhaust system, are in working order. These steps will help you be prepared for winter driving and significantly reduce the chance of an accident.

To further reduce the chance of sliding on a snowy surface, plan to equip your car with chains or snow tires. Purchasing winter tires strengthens tire traction, allowing you to make a smooth and safe stop. Be sure your tires have enough traction left on them, as the reduced tread can cause a car to slip even on dry roads.

Follow Your Vehicle’s Maintenance Schedule

Your vehicle’s owner’s manual provides a detailed vehicle maintenance schedule you need to follow. By maintaining its peak functions, your car is more likely to operate safely in icy conditions.

Keep Your Gas Tank Filled

Don’t let your gas tank reach less than ½ full at any time during the winter months. This precaution helps minimize the risk of a fuel line freeze-up, which can cause you to become stuck quickly.

Use the Proper Tires and the Correct Tire Pressure

Proper tire pressure assists with the level of traction with the ground, preventing risks like skidding and sliding. To operate at their most useful, your tires need proper tread and inflation according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Check Your Car’s Important Fluids

Keep brake and wiper fluid filled. Check them each day to verify you have the fluids necessary to operate your vehicle safely. Keep the windshield wiper fluid and coolant topped up every day.

2. Drive Slowly

A car cannot stop instantly on wet or slippery surfaces; it takes a moment for the tires to grip the surface of the snow. Driving more slowly gives you more control of your vehicle if you must stop unexpectedly. To account for this, when driving on snow or icy surfaces, always adjust your speed to account for reduced traction. When driving in the snow, plan to reduce your speed by roughly 50 percent. For instance, if the speed limit is 40 mph, plan to drop your speed to 20 mph.

3. Steer Into a Skid if You Lose Control

If your vehicle begins to skid, ease off the gas and brakes rather than pressing them aggressively. Gently turn your steering wheel in the direction your rear wheels are sliding. Once the car begins correcting its path, you might need to slightly turn the wheel in the opposite direction to regain alignment and control.

4. Increase Your Following Distance

In the cold weather months, when wet, snowy, or icy conditions exist, leave more space than usual between you and any other cars on the road. When you increase your following distance, it will substantially decrease the chances of getting into an accident. Keeping a consistent, slower speed while staying about seven to eight seconds behind the vehicle in front of you gives you the ability to avoid crashing into a vehicle from behind.

5. Do Not Power Up Hills

Avoid driving up hills during snowy or icy weather whenever possible. If a hill cannot be avoided, gain momentum before reaching it rather than accelerating on the incline. Accelerating on a hill will cause your wheels to spin without gaining traction.

6. Do Not Accelerate if You Get Stuck

If you find yourself stuck, avoid accelerating your vehicle. This attempt could shift your vehicle in an unexpected direction and put yourself, your passengers, and other motorists in danger. Alternative options include keeping a bag of cat litter in your trunk or a long piece of cardboard to place beneath your tires for traction. Furthermore, store a small shovel in your car to move excess snow away from your tires.

People often mistakenly assume that since they have front-wheel or all-wheel drive, they do not have to be as cautious in inclement driving conditions. While it’s true rear-wheel drive is less helpful on snow-covered roads, it does not mean all-wheel or four-wheel drive is infallible. All vehicles are vulnerable to black ice and snowy roads. No one is invincible.

7. Practice Threshold Braking

Threshold braking takes plenty of practice to get the skills needed to master this technique. The technique works by teaching the driver to master the “art of slowing down in the quickest possible way” while maintaining the car’s brake force at “the optimum level.” Be mindful of how you push on your brake pedal. While anti-lock brakes are helpful under normal conditions, during snowy or icy conditions, threshold braking — a controlled manual braking technique — can offer better prevention and control. The old-school method of braking gives a driver more control and is more of a preventive approach than the ABS-reactive one.

8. Watch Out for Light Snow

Subfreezing temperatures can refreeze the snowmelt and create black ice. This is why even light snow can be dangerous; subfreezing temperatures can refreeze melted snow into black ice, creating extremely hazardous conditions. For instance, in mid-Atlantic states, it is not uncommon for the weather to drop three inches of snow only to melt the next day with warmer temperatures and then refreeze once the sun sets, leaving hazardous black ice and other slippery conditions.

9. Always Keep an Emergency Kit

Michigan weather is often unpredictable. Having an emergency roadside kit in your car can be a lifesaver. You can purchase a pre-made kit or build one yourself. Focus on the following items:

• Blankets
• Flashlights with extra batteries
• Extra clothing and accessories like socks and sweaters for those people who are often in your car
• Winter coats
• Sand or salt to use under tires; cat litter can work as well
• First aid kit
• Shovel
• Non-perishable snacks (such as energy bars)

10. Stay in Your Vehicle if You Become Stranded

If you find yourself in a winter weather storm, or if the snow whips up around you and makes driving too dangerous, pull to the side of the road and stay in your car. Call emergency services for help. Staying in your car is critical in freezing temperatures to protect you from the weather. Moreover, other drivers on Michigan roads could be swerving and strike you if you’re in their path.

How to Correct Your Driving on Icy Roads

A few winter driving safety tips could help you navigate rough weather conditions with confidence. A Michigan winter is not something you can fix or avoid. It can be intense and dangerous every year, and knowing how to handle these situations is critical.

Recognizing Hazardous Road Conditions

Are the roads in good condition for driving? If you cannot operate your car safely, avoid driving if possible. Look for the following winter road signs that indicate there are ice or slippery conditions that require careful consideration.

• Black ice is the most dangerous. Look for very smooth, glossy sheets of ice.
• If it is wet outside and temperatures drop below 32 degrees, expect ice.
• Notice ice buildup on your car’s windshield wiper blades. It may be on the road, too.
• If a patch in the road seems shiny, assume it is at least slippery, if not icy.
• Pay attention to other drivers who may be slipping in front of you.

Adjusting Speed and Following Distance

Slow down. It is the easiest way to prevent injury. Keep a greater distance between yourself and the other vehicles on the road.

Using Proper Equipment for Winter Driving

When conditions are poor, arm your car with the tools it needs, including:

• Winter tires
• Chains
• Maintain the brakes
• Keep jumper cables in the back
• Keep a second pair of wipers

How Can a Lawyer Help Me After a Winter Car Accident?

A personal injury law firm can provide you with some of the most important support after a car accident. Your injury attorney can help you in several key ways:

• Determine who is at fault for your accident
• Provide you with guidance on what all of your potential losses are
• Help you file a claim with your insurance company

Auto accident attorneys may be able to help you if you are facing claims that you caused an accident, too. Let them find the evidence that supports you.

Why Clients Choose Matz Injury Law

Matz Injury Law provides victims of car accidents with the legal support they need at crucial times. Our auto accident attorneys have successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients. With years of experience and compassion for our clients, we will fight for you.

Testimonials

“After a vehicle accident you should seek legal representation whether or not you are at fault. I contacted Matz Law Firm by leaving a message and received a return call promptly from attorney Jared Matz. We agreed that I would send accident specifics via email. Upon receipt, he contacted me immediately, offering his opinion and advice. He was very thorough and explained the financial and legal considerations for each decision. I trusted Jared Matz and all issues were reasonably and effectively resolved. Jared Matz has great communication and negotiation skills, a good understanding of the law, and broad legal experience. Attorney Jared Matz and his staff were consistently courteous, considerate and empathetic. My interactions with Jared Matz and the Matz Injury Law Firm resulted in a good outcome. Because of my positive experience with Jared Matz as my legal representative, I recommend attorney Jared Matz and Matz Injury Law Firm.” — Annette L.

“Atty. Steve Matz goes above and beyond for his clients, and even for those who aren’t! After reaching out to his law firm, Steve called us within a day, requesting information and then spent a tremendous amount of time (over the holidays and during the weekend) going through the documentation and discussing our case. Unfortunately, we can’t retain him for this particular case but I wish that he had been the attorney we had first reached out to. After working with attorneys for almost 20 years in my field, I can tell you that Steve Matz is one of those rare attorneys that not only has the intellect, ingenuity and experience that you want from someone representing you, but also the compassion and kindness that you need. Hire him! I wish we had been able to sooner… 5+ stars.” — Heather S.

Injured From a Winter Weather Accident? Matz Injury Law Can Help.

Driving in the snow for the first time can be intimidating, but once you learn good safety procedures and get used to putting them into safe driving practice, you significantly decrease your chances of getting into a winter-related accident.

Matz Injury Law has been practicing law in Michigan for decades and is thoroughly familiar with all motor vehicle laws. Over time, we have seen countless injuries caused by winter weather, and we are very familiar with the tricks insurance companies use to avoid paying.

Our attorneys represent clients throughout Michigan in injury-specific cases. Our law firm has logged hundreds of thousands of miles to virtually every county in both upper and lower Michigan to meet with clients. To date, we have recovered more than $300 million for them. Furthermore, our low contingency fee of 22 percent (compared to the industry norm of 33 percent) allows more money to go toward your recovery.

As an experienced law firm in the state of Michigan, Matz Injury Law is here for you, always. To obtain a free consultation, contact us at 1-866-22Not33 or by reaching out to us through our convenient online contact form.