How to Stay Safe on the Roads in the Snow

The first snowstorm of the year often leads to accidents and spin-outs.

With a storm headed this way, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation offers these tips for safe winter driving:

• Always wear a seat belt, drive at a reduced speed, and drive defensively.
• Always turn on headlights during inclement weather.
• Give plenty of time to get to where you’re going during the winter.
• Keep the gas tank full.
• Maintain at least twice the normal following distance when driving on snow or ice. Rear-end collisions account for most winter crashes.
• Keep the vehicle in proper working condition. Make sure the engine is tuned and the battery, belts, hoses and radiator are checked. Examine tires to make sure they have adequate tread, and keep tires properly inflated.
• Periodically check windshield washing fluid level and only use fluids containing an anti-freeze solvent. Keep an extra container of windshield fluid in the trunk.
• Clear snow and ice from windows, mirrors, hood, headlights, taillights and trunk before driving.
• Keep an ice scraper/snow brush, deicer, small snow shovel, warning devices (flares or triangles), bag of salt or sand, flashlight, battery cables, tire chains, paper towels and a blanket in each vehicle during the winter.
• Maintain a distance of at least six car lengths behind a snow plow.
• Do not pass a snow plow because the plow blades are wider than the truck.
• Carpool or use mass transit whenever possible during the winter. Fewer cars on the road makes travel safer during a snowstorm and expedites snow plowing operations.
• Use extra care when driving on a bridge or elevated ramp during the winter because they freeze sooner than roads built on the ground.