How to Not Become a Winter Driving Statistic
emergcy preparedness , Emergency Survival skills , Family Preparedness , Natural Disasters , survival kit , Survival kits , Survival Skills - December 17, 2024

How to Not Become a Winter Driving Statistic

Picture this: You're driving home when snow hits hard and fast. The flakes are huge and the roads become slippery fast. With visibility at almost nothing, you notice the curve too late and your car slides straight into a snowbank. You are still miles from home, night is falling, and the cars that pass can't even see you through the blizzard. Your phone shows one weak bar of service, and your gas tank is running low. That emergency kit you kept meaning to pack? Still on your to-do list.

Don't let this be you. During the winter season it's critical to have supplies with you in your vehicle.

 

Before You Leave Home:

  • Keep your car well serviced and running well. 
  • Check weather forecasts for the entire route. Weather apps make this easy!
  • Tell your route or use share your location feature with others with your anticipated arrival time. 
  • If you live in an area that receives heavy snow on a regular basis, have snow chains or cables and know how to install them.
  • Download offline maps or use a map app!
  • Store emergency numbers in both phone AND paper.
  • Take photos of your insurance cards, registration, and important documents - store them in a password-protected folder on your phone.

 

Smart Winter Driving Tips:

  • Start with a full tank and keep gas tank at least half full during your trip.
  • Turn off cruise control in slick conditions.
  • Clear ALL snow from car, including roof.
  • Keep phone charging while you drive. If you have problems, you’ll have a fully charged phone.
  • Keep a pair of sunglasses handy - snow glare can be blinding.

 

Essential Emergency Kit Items:

  • Spare tire, jack, tow strap, jumper cables
  • Portable jump starter/battery pack
  • Phone charger and backup power bank
  • Flashlight with extra batteries- while modern phones have a flashlight, it's best not to drain your phone battery.
  • LED flashers/flares/reflective triangles
  • First aid kit and medications
  • Multi-tool and basic tool kit
  • Multiple blankets and extra warm clothes (boots, winter gloves)
  • Snow shovel and ice scraper
  • Cat litter or sand for traction
  • Hand warmers
  • Matches in waterproof container
  • Non-perishable snacks and water (energy bars, nuts)
  • Notepad and pencil

 

If You Get Stuck - Remember These Life-Saving Steps:

  • Call 911 right away if you have service.
  • Stay with your car - it's your shelter.
  • Clear exhaust pipe of snow regularly to avoid fumes backing up into car.
  • Balance fuel and heat: Run engine 10 minutes every hour with window cracked for safety.
  • Use hazard lights and/or set up flares.
  • Conserve phone battery- put in low power mode.
  • If you have snacks, eat them - your body needs fuel to generate heat.
  • Stay warm: put on extra clothes, keep moving, huddle together.
  • Use floor mats, papers, or maps as extra insulation.
  • Only leave the car if you can clearly see nearby help, need to clear exhaust or to be seen.

 

Remember:  Store everything in a waterproof container and check regularly with changing seasons.

 

Instead of being the driver trapped in a snowbank wondering "what do I do now?" be the prepared traveler who has supplies to face these challenges with confidence. Your emergency kit isn't just a box of supplies – it's your insurance policy against winter's worst scenarios. Pack it, check it, and drive knowing you're ready for whatever the season brings.

Winter driving emergencies can strike suddenly, transforming routine trips into survival situations. But with a kit and knowledge, you don't have to be at the mercy of the elements. The minutes you spend gathering supplies today could save lives tomorrow.

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