Preparing Yourself to Drive Long Distances in Winter

Whether you’re heading home from college over a winter weekend, planning a ski trip with friends, or traveling for the holidays, driving long distances in winter weather requires a little extra prep work. 

According to the Federal Highway AdministrationWeather Weather_events Snow_ice.htm Ops.fhwa.dot.govWeather Weather_events Snow_ice.htm Ops.fhwa.dot.gov, over 1,300 people die and 116,800 more are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy, or icy roadways every year.

5 Tips for Driving Long Distances Safely in Winter

There's a good chance you'll need to drive in the snowHow To Drive In The Snow Driving Resources, heavy rain, fog, or through a hailstorm this winter. Don't freak out: there are several things you can do to ensure you make it to your destination safely.

1. Plan Your Route

First things first, map out your route. Will you be driving on a flat interstate or through windy mountain roads? What will the weather be like — sunny but cold or stormy and rainy?

Those two questions will inform your driving. Clearly, driving in the rainTrending 4 Tips Driving Rain Defensive Driving on sinewy roads is very dangerous because there's a risk you'll hydroplane on a curve. If possible, change your itinerary to play it safe. If you're stuck with a specific travel plan, at least you'll know what to expect.

2. Winterize Your Vehicle

Before starting your long winter road trip, take the time to prepare your car for winterTrending Ways Prepare Your Car Winter Defensive Driving. Get an oil change, make sure your battery's in good shape, and consider fitting winter tiresTrending Winter Tires 4 1 1 Defensive Driving. Yes, winterizing your vehicle can cost you money but it'll keep you safe in the cold.

3. Prepare Mentally

Every year, over 1,300 people die on icy roads and 116,000 more are injured, according to the Federal Highway AdministrationWeather Weather_events Snow_ice.htm Ops.fhwa.dot.govWeather Weather_events Snow_ice.htm Ops.fhwa.dot.gov. The best way to prevent becoming a sad statistic is to read as much as you can about winter driving and to take frequent breaks. Let yourself relax after being on edge because of adverse weather conditions. Winter driving can be exhausting and drowsy drivingTrending Having Driving Anxiety Try These 5 Quick Tips Defensive Driving is a big no-no.

4. Accept You'll Be Driving Slower

Hopefully, it'll be obvious to all drivers that driving slower in the winter is a must. Especially when driving on dangerously icy roadsTrending Why Driving Icy Roads Dangerous Defensive Driving and hydroplaning-proneTrending What Hydroplaning And How Should You Handle It Defensive Driving highways. Slowing down could be the only thing that prevents a fatal crash. Even if you're itching to get to your destination, accept that winter driving means driving more slowly. Be sure to account for that when planning your road trip. 

5. Pack a Winter Emergency Bag

It's better to have it and not need it than need it but not have it. That's our motto when it comes to car emergency kitsMaintenance Car Emergency Kit Driving Resources. It may come in handy when you least expect it.

For example, if you're caught in a blizzardWinter During Safety, the best thing you can do is pull over. Make sure other drivers can see you, bundle up with a blanket, and sit tight: it might take a while. In the meantime, having water and food at hand, as well as an external battery for your phone and a flashlight, is crucial. Don't be caught by surprise, be prepared.

Get a Little Help from Defensive Driving Lessons

You can become a pro at winter driving through experience (ahem, the hard way) or by taking defensive driving classesDefensive Driving. You'll learn how to deal with the unexpected, from handling aggressive drivers to avoiding collisions and beyond. And since you can learn fully online at your own pace, there's really no reason to put it off. What you learn could one day save your life.