When the weather gets cold, it affects both your vehicle and the roads you drive on. If you live in a place with lots of ice and snow, the roads are likely salted, sanded, or plowed, and you likely put studded tires on your vehicle in the wintertime. If snow and ice are less frequent where you live, then driving in snow and ice can be much more dangerous, and you’ll need to be extra careful when those conditions occur. 

Warm up your car before driving

Make sure you have thoroughly defrosted and scraped all your windows, and removed any snow from the top and front of the car before driving. Not only will this ensure that you can see out of your car, but it will also prevent snow from blowing off your car onto vehicles behind you.

Maximize your traction on turns

Both turning and braking require traction, which is why in slick conditions it is recommended that you don’t brake and turn at the same time. If you are making a turn, it is safest to slow down before the turn itself. This will mean coming to a near stop before you make the turn.

Beware of black ice

Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you may find ice that is hard to see in shady areas or on roadways exposed to the cold air from both above and below, like bridges. The same rule applies here: try not to brake and turn at the same time.

Deal calmly with skids

You may have heard the advice “steer into the turn,” but it’s not always easy to tell which direction that might be. A better way to approach skids is by following these simple steps:

• Avoid sudden moves.
• Ease off the gas and apply brake pressure slowly.
• Steer in the direction you want to go.

Increase your following distance

You never know what the person in front of you will encounter on the road, or if they are driving defensively. Give yourself plenty of space to stop if they suddenly do. Under normal road and weather conditions, we recommend a 3-4 second following distance, so in snow and ice you should increase that to at least 5 seconds.

Also, don’t try to pass snow plows or sanding trucks. You’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind. 

Don’t spin your wheels

If your vehicle gets stuck in the snow, don’t spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper. Instead, turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way. If you have one, you can use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car. Putting sand, cat litter, gravel, or salt in the path of the wheels, or deflating your tires slightly can help you get traction (remember to re-inflate your tires afterwards!). Shift from forward to reverse, and back again, until you’re able to get out.

Don’t get lost in the snow

If you become stranded in snowy conditions, do not leave your car unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to a safe location, and you are certain that leaving your car will improve your situation.

Prepare your vehicle for winter

If you haven’t yet, it’s never too late to prepare your vehicle for winter weather! Check out our article on winter driving prep for some “cool” tips!

Winter is coming

There’s a chill in the air, it’s getting dark earlier, and stores are advertising holiday sales. This can only mean one thing: winter—and potentially bad weather—is coming.

Whether you’re planning a holiday road trip or just commuting to and from work, it’s never a bad idea to take stock of your vehicle and make sure it's ready for the winter ahead.

Here are five things you can do to make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter weather.

1. Make sure your headlights, fog lights, and taillights are in working order. The worse the weather, the harder it is for you to see what's around you, and for others to see you. Keeping your headlights and taillights on, even during daylight hours, is one easy way to increase your visibility. It's best to use a spotter to help you check your brake lights, but if needed you can also back up to a window or other reflective surface to check them.
2. Inspect your windshield wiper blades and windshield fluid. Wiper blades won't work properly if they are old or damaged. You can switch your wiper fluid to de-icer if you live in a colder area.
3. If necessary, switch to winter tires or keep a set of tire chains in your car. Especially if you drive over mountain passes, you may need studs or chains even if your vehicle is All Wheel- or 4-Wheel-Drive.
4. Make sure you have your winter supply kit ready. If you live in or will be traveling to an area that gets a lot of snow, keep the following items in your vehicle and easily accessible:
   • Windshield scraper
   • Snowbrush
   • Gloves
   • Traffic flares (in case you get stuck)
   • Small shovel (for digging your car out if it gets stuck)
   • Water and food
   • A blanket and/or warm clothes
5. Give yourself plenty of time to warm up and defrost your vehicle before driving. It is hazardous to drive a car that is covered in snow, or when your windows are not completely defrosted. Plan for extra time in the morning or whenever you drive.

Lastly, it's important to remember that wearing your seat belt is the number one way to stay safe in a crash, in any season. Have a safe winter!

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving was responsible for 2,841 deaths in 2018 alone. This number includes drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

We commonly think of texting while driving as distracted driving, but “distracted driving” is anything that can take your eyes, mind, or body off of the task of driving. This includes eating while driving, changing the music selection in your car, talking to other passengers, or paying attention to things going on outside of your vehicle (such as accidents). Driving under the influence, stress, and fatigue can also contribute to distracted driving.

Here are some helpful tips to help you avoid driving while distracted:

1. Familiarize yourself with your car’s controls before you drive. This is especially important if you’re driving a new-to-you vehicle such as a borrowed or rented car.

2. Review your maps, set your navigation, and choose your music before you leave. You can also ask a passenger to be responsible for these tasks.

3. Secure items that might move while driving.

4. Don’t try to pick up fallen items while driving.

5. Do not text and drive. Texting while driving is one of the most dangerous distractions, as it involves taking your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds each time you send or receive a text—that’s long enough for a vehicle traveling at 55 mph to travel the full distance of a football field.

6. Avoid stressful conversations while driving, whether on the phone or with other passengers. Many states prohibit the use of handheld cell phones while driving. However, research shows that even hands-free devices do not improve driver performance, because drivers are still focusing their attention on the conversation instead of the task of driving. Set your cell phone to “do not disturb” to avoid the temptation to make or answer calls while driving.

7. Avoid eating while driving.

8. If you find your mind wandering while driving, or you feel drowsy, pull off the road and take a break.

It can be very easy, especially when up against a deadline, to view the speed limit as a suggestion rather than the law. But although speeding may make you feel like you’ll get your destination a little quicker, it can have devastating consequences.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding contributed to 26 percent of traffic-related deaths in 2019. 

Your risk of death or severe injury in a crash increases with your vehicle’s speed. The faster you drive, the greater perception and reaction time you need to handle a sudden stop, and the greater the force of a potential crash. Given the size and weight of the items transported during Oversize moves, a crash often has devastating results for the individuals and cargo involved, even if there are no fatalities. Injuries, damage, and lawsuits are likely outcomes. Your professional reputation, and those of your move team and carrier, may be irrevocably harmed.

Right now, you may be wondering if speeding really gets you to your destination faster. Let’s consider a typical scenario:

https://youtu.be/RI2ycX4r4XM

SCENARIO:​
A vehicle  (Car A) driving 58 mph and a vehicle (Car B) driving at 68 mph, have left from the same location and are traveling to the same destination. One might assume Car B will arrive at the destination much earlier, but in fact, it will arrive only about one and a half minutes before Car A. This is illustrated in the video above.

In the grand scheme of things, a minute and a half is not that long—it’s the length of time you spend waiting at a typical traffic light, or the length of an ad break during your favorite podcast. The time you may save by speeding is never worth the potential consequences that may result from a speed-related collision.

https://youtu.be/HF_nGvBjgYI

There is always risk associated when operating a motor vehicle. Every time you get behind the wheel, you’re putting the safety of yourself and others in your vehicle—as well as other drivers and pedestrians—at risk.

Even if you’re confident in your own driving ability, you can’t control outside factors like the behavior of other drivers, adverse road and weather conditions, or other unexpected hazards.

To reduce the risk of collision, it’s safest to stay 3-4 seconds behind the car in front of you. To measure this, pick a stationary object on the side of the road. Note when the car in front of you passes it, then count the seconds until you do.

Add one second for each adverse condition:

https://youtu.be/5mklcs5HbmY?si=OrbrI5nFpIXig0vY

Many drivers know how to proceed through a straightforward intersection, but what about circular intersections? Chances are, you’ve come across them at some point, whether in cities, neighborhoods, or even shopping centers. Circular intersections come with their own set of rules, and can be a bit tricky to navigate if you’re not used to them.

The first thing you should know about circular intersections is that there are different types. People often refer to them collectively as “traffic circles” or “roundabouts,” but each of these is actually a specific type of intersection. Regardless of type, they all serve the same function: to slow the flow of traffic.

So, what are the different types of circular intersections?​

Modern Roundabouts

Modern roundabouts are designed to accommodate vehicles of all sizes, including emergency vehicles, buses, and truck and trailer combinations. They might be single-lane or double-lane. In a modern roundabout, drivers enter the intersection by navigating a gentle curve. Drivers yield to traffic already in the roundabout as they enter, then proceed into the intersection and exit at their desired street.

Calming Circles

Calming circles are much smaller than modern roundabouts and often replace stop signs at four-way intersections. They are typically used in residential neighborhoods to slow traffic speeds and reduce accidents, but are typically not designed to accommodate larger vehicles. Many drivers often turn left in front of the circles rather than turning around them.

Traffic circles, or rotaries​

Traffic circles, or rotaries, are much larger than modern roundabouts. Traffic circles often have stop signs or traffic signals within the circular intersection. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris and DuPont Circle in Washington, D.C. are two examples of older-style traffic circles.

Drivers enter a traffic circle in a straight line and do not have to yield to traffic already in the circle. Traffic circles typically become congested if many vehicles enter at the same time.

https://youtu.be/thSg1CKPpLA

According to a 2020 Gallup poll, 60 percent of Americans experience stress on a daily basis. Stress is associated with a number of adverse outcomes, including road rage and aggressive driving. And if you find it gets in the way of your daily commute, you’re not alone. In a 2019 survey, fifty percent of respondents reported feeling stressed while traveling to and from work.

And why not? Dealing with gridlock, aggressive drivers, poorly-timed lights, and surprise work zones is a battle nobody wants to deal with before or after a long day at the office. And if you drive for a living, relief may be even harder to come by.

The traffic “battle” doesn't exactly rank up there with hazardous military operations, but in the moment it can feel just as stressful. And in these moments, we can look to the U.S. Navy SEALS for help: one stress management technique they use is an exercise called “box breathing.”

Box breathing helps your body and mind return to a neutral state, regulating your heart rate and nervous system and helping you to think more clearly.

There are three steps to box breathing:

1. Breathe all the way out. Hold the breath for four seconds with no air in your lungs.
2. Take a slow, full breath in over four seconds.
3. With your lungs comfortably full, hold your breath for four seconds.
4. Breathe out slowly and completely over four seconds.

Box breathing can be practiced at any time, including while behind the wheel, though you may want to practice in less stressful conditions first. Some phones and smartwatches support apps that feature guided box breathing exercises. You may find these useful when familiarizing yourself with the practice. (Just remember, many states have laws regarding the use of cell phones and other devices while driving.)

Part of defensive driving is remembering you share the road with others. This includes pedestrians, who are vulnerable to vehicles and other hazards drivers may not think about. In 2024, drivers struck and killed 7,148 pedestrians, according to the Governor's Highway Safety Association. Many of these incidents could have been prevented.

Here are some guidelines to help the pedestrians you share the road with stay safe.

Use extra caution in difficult-to-see conditions. Especially in the fall and winter, there is less sunlight. Days are shorter and rain, snow, and fog are more common. These make it much harder to see pedestrians, especially if they are wearing dark clothing.

Slow down and prepare to stop when nearing a crosswalk. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, but it's not always easy to see someone approaching on foot. Make sure you slow down and look carefully when approaching one.

Always yield to pedestrians, even if there is no crosswalk. In most states, pedestrians have the right of way, even if they aren’t using a designated crosswalk.

Stop at the stop line. The stop lines at intersections are there to give pedestrians and other road users space to cross or turn. Stop fully at the line, then inch forward and look carefully for pedestrians and bikes as you prepare to enter the intersection.

Slow down! Pay attention to speed limits, especially in school zones and other areas with lots of foot traffic, and reduce your speed in parking lots. Reducing your speed temporarily by a few miles per hour costs you barely any time, and could save a life.

Follow directions given by crossing guards, flaggers, or others directing traffic in areas such as school zones or construction zones. Flaggers and others are there for your safety as much as theirs. More drivers and passengers die in work zones than workers do!

Back up carefully. Do thorough check and use your mirrors and backup cameras, as well as extreme caution, when backing up. Look in all directions, go slow, and don't be afraid to stop if you can't see what is around you.

Staying aware and slowing down in hazardous situations are low-cost ways that yield huge benefits. With just a few changes in our driving habits, we can create safer roads for drivers, bikes, and pedestrians.