Driving during the winter means facing all the standard roadway hazards, from distracted drivers to blind curves and damaged roadways, with the potential for adverse conditions added in.

According to the US Department of Transportation, approximately 1.2 million weather-related car crashes occur in the United States each year. Of those accidents, 18% happen when snow or sleet is falling, 16% take place on roadways already covered with snow or slush, and 13% occur on icy pavement.

To stay safe while on the road in winter, you have to be ready to slow down, give more following space, and have increased situational awareness. Before you get on the road, you need to make sure your vehicle is ready for the winter conditions you may be facing.

Also, you need to allow extra time for your daily commute. Another DOT study found that light snowfall can reduce average driving speeds by up to 13%, while heavy snow can reduce speeds by as much as 40%.

Driving too fast for winter road conditions is the single biggest mistake you can make.

Driving at excessive speed is the greatest mistake you can make during the winter.

Speed limits are established based on ideal driving conditions, so the poorer conditions created by winter weather require a reduction in speed.
Make sure to increase your following distance on the road, as your stopping time will be much longer on snow or ice — even if you did take the precaution of driving more slowly.

On the other hand, driving too slowly in winter conditions is also a dangerous mistake.

During wintertime, overly slow driving can cause an accident just as easily as excessive speed.

Moving slower than the pace of surrounding traffic can contribute to accordion-style chain reaction crashes because drivers coming up from behind may not recognize the difference in speed and adjust soon enough.

Driving with tires that lack proper tread depth for winter conditions puts you at risk of losing control of your vehicle.

Road traction is key for safe winter driving. Pay attention to your tires and how they make contact with the road.

You need that depth to chew through loose snow and slush, while shallow tread depth can only nibble at it," he said. "Generally, your tires need about 5/32 of an inch or more of tread depth to handle winter weather.
You can test for proper tread depth by inserting a penny between the treads, with President Lincoln's head facing inward. If you can see the top of his head, the tires lack sufficient tread depth.

Failing to thoroughly clean your vehicle of snow and ice limits your visibility and can make it harder for other drivers to see you.

You can't be fully aware of all situations around you if you can't see, so scrape off all the frosty windows, give time for them to defrost, and clear off all the snow.

Overconfidence in your all-wheel-drive vehicle can lead to spinouts and collisions.

When it comes time to stop or turn, the all-wheel-drive system does little to help you maintain control of the vehicle, and if your tires lose traction with the road, the system's capabilities mean nothing.

Don't use the brakes as the only defensive safety measure on wintry roads.

Instead of watching only the car ahead, look through and around that vehicle and know what is behind and beside your car.

Focus on where you want to go rather than on what you need to avoid.
Your hands and feet will naturally aim your vehicle where your eyes are focused, driving you around trouble rather than plowing into the back of it.

Skipping regular tire pressure checks can lead to tire failure and presents a major safety risk.

Improperly inflated tires make it much harder for you to maintain proper control of your car, especially in winter conditions. Tires lose pressure over time, shedding approximately 1 psi per month and 1 psi for every 10 degrees of temperature drop.