On average, weather-related vehicle crashes kill 6,253 people and injure more than 480,000 each year. Most of these accidents occur when the roadways are wet, snowy, or icy.
When the weather takes a turn for the worse this winter, take precautions if you have to be out on the roadways. Whether there is a coating of snow or ice on the roadways, or the asphalt just looks wet, slow down! If the temperature is near freezing, drive like you’re on ice – you may be!
While dangerous road conditions are one of the most deadly hazards during winter, it’s not the only threat you may encounter. Other winter hazards include brutal cold, heavy snow and ice, dangerous flooding, extreme wind, and treacherous fog.
Nobody knows more about these weather hazards than NOAA’s National Weather Service. Here is what we recommend you do this winter:
1. Know Your Risk
- Check weather.gov every morning before you leave home. It may be sunny in the morning but snowing in the afternoon. Be prepared.
2. Take Action!
- Prepare for an emergency. Write a family communications plan so that everyone in your life knows how to stay in touch. Also, assemble an emergency supplies kit for your home. Make sure you have 72 hours of food, water and other necessary supplies in your kit.
- During a snow emergency, stay off the roads to allow emergency crews uninterrupted access to treat the roads, and if you must travel, allow extra time. Follow weather.gov to get the latest forecast information and expected conditions.
3. Be A Force of Nature
- You’re an inspiration. Let people know that you have an emergency supplies kit and family communications plan – doing so will inspire others to action. Share your preparedness story on social media. Help the National Weather Service build a Weather-Ready Nation.
Lastly, make sure you have food, water, and blankets in your trunk. Stay off the roads when advised to do so by local authorities. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged when a storm is approaching and also anytime you’re planning to leave the house. It could become your lifeline should disaster strike. For winter driving safety tips, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and FEMA’s Car Safety site.