Winter Weather Driving Safety Tips

The Department of State and the Michigan Sheriffsʹ Association recommend the following tips to keep you and your family safe while driving in winter weather:

• No matter the season, drinking and driving is dangerous and illegal.
• Make sure your vehicle is in good working order.
  • Have working wiper blades
  • Fill up on antifreeze and window‐washer fluid
  • Check for proper tire inflation
  • Ensure your battery has sufficient charge
• Keep an emergency kit ready in your vehicle. It should include:
  • A blanket or warm clothes (boots, coat, gloves)
  • A flashlight
  • Jumper cables
  • Tow rope
  • Shovel
  • Bag of sand or cat litter for traction
  • Battery‐operated radio
  • State map to use in case of a detour
  • Snacks such as raisins, candy bars or other items that store well
• To avoid slipping off the roadway, drive more slowly and give yourself more room to stop.
  • Brake gently to prevent skidding
• If your vehicle does get stuck:
  • Never spin your wheels. That only digs the tires in more deeply
  • Use a shovel to dig around the wheels and undercarriage
  • Turn the steering wheel from side to side to clear snow away from the front tires
  • Gently ease the vehicle out
  • If that doesnʹt work, try rocking the vehicle by shifting into forward and giving it some gas and then shifting it into reverse and accelerating until the vehicle is free
• Let other people know your travel plans so if you donʹt arrive theyʹll know where to start looking.
  • Tell people the route you plan to take
• Make sure your vehicle has fresh air if you become stuck by checking the exhaust system to see if itʹs plugged by snow.
  • Open a window or turn off your car if necessary
  • Carbon monoxide produced by your vehicle is a colorless, odorless gas that can kill
• Check the news for weather reports or visit weather sites such as weather.gov.