Winter Driving Tips From A Seasoned Minnesotan

Winter driving can be difficult and a bit scary even for experienced drivers. Whether you're just starting out or need a quick refresher on winter driving (even in March when the late blizzards hit), keep reading for tips or watch the video below.

First things first, if you can avoid driving in winter weather, do so. The best plan is to wait out a storm from the safety of your home or hotel, but this often isn't feasible. The next best plan, drive during the day for the best visibility.

Visibility

Avoid Driving at Night

• Visibility tends to decrease at night during storms. This is due to headlights reflecting the snow to create a white wall in front of the vehicle. 
• Another plus to driving during the day is the higher traffic volumes. More traffic means someone is more likely to see you should you have car troubles or if you end up in the ditch. 

Slow Down

• Driving slower will allow you more reaction time to obstacles and typically give you better visibility when driving in snow. 

Visual Indicators

If you cannot see lane lines or the edge of the road you need to find other indicators to maintain your position on the road. Some indicators are:

• Telephone poles along the edge of roadway
• Signs
• Trees
• Rumbles strips

**If you still cannot see after slowing down, but do not have a good place to take a break, roll down a window to to track edge of road or lanes. You can also have a passenger crack a door to track the lane lines if necessary, but you should be driving extremely slow at this point (<20 mph). 

Breaks

Driving in winter conditions is exhausting and hard on your body. You may experience eye strain from the poor visibility as well as fatigue as you cannot use cruise control and may sit in a more upright position than usual.

Take breaks to rest your eye regularly. Orange or green tinted glasses will help define objects while driving in a whiteout. Pull over in town or in a highly visible area. Be sure to pull completely off the roadway to avoid possible accidents with other vehicles traveling along the roadway. Do not pull into deep snow. 

Ice and Wind

The wind will often polish roadway surfaces creating ice sheets that may or may not be visible. Even if there is snow, there may be ice below the snow surface. This will be extremely slippery. 

Roads that are perpendicular to the wind will generally have less snow coverage than roads parallel to the wind. Be sure to slow down on curves and refrain from any sudden movements or breaking. Ice is often unseen.

Drifts

Drifts are caused whenever snow or wind slows down due to an obstacle allowing snow to drop out of the air. 

Places to watch for drifts:

• Tree rows
• Wind breaks (fences, houses, etc.)
• Rolling terrain (hills can block wind)
• Other drifts can also build drifts

Driving Through Drifts

• When there are drifts on the road, whether blown or simply an unplowed road, there will be a sweet spot in your driving speed. You will need to keep speed up high enough to avoid getting stuck, but will also want to be slow enough to maintain visibility and control of your vehicle. 
• Avoid driving directly through drifts in low profile vehicles (cars). 
• If there are many drifts in the other lane, be aware of traffic traveling in the middle of the roadway or even in your lane. They are avoiding drifts as well. Remember to slow down and remain vigilant for obstacles. 

In the Ditch

If you ended up in the ditch, stay with your vehicle. You are much more likely to be found if you are in the vehicle than if you are out wandering around. In white out conditions it can be easy to become disoriented with direction and get lost. 

Steps to Take Once You're in The Ditch

• Call for help if possible.
• Get car to operating temperature and shut the car off.
• You will need to alternated between running the car and shutting it off. (5 minutes, 10 minutes off). This will allow the car to maintain temperature keeping you warm, without using too much fuel and will reduce risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. 
• Clear exhaust to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Check periodically to ensure it hasn't built up with snow while waiting. 

General Tips

• Avoid driving in winter weather when possible.
• Drive during daylight hours.
• Remain calm.
• Do not drive through road closed signs. Emergency vehicles will not be available to rescue you during times the road has been closed due to weather.
• Pick a route that uses larger or more main stream roadways. Larger roadways are generally better maintained and have wider lanes. 
• Slow down on curves.
• Don't be afraid to wait it out or turn around and wait at the nearest feasible location if it is too bad.
• Always travel with a full tank of gas
• DO NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL!
• Notify someone of your travel plans and route.
• Avoid sudden movements (jerky the wheel, heavy breaking). There will likely be ice even if you cannot see it.
• Drive slowly, but avoid coming to a complete stop when possible. This will reduce the likelihood of getting stuck. 
• Take breaks frequently.

Things to Pack For Winter Travel

• Winter clothing
• Boots
• Snow pants
• Coats
• Gloves
• Hat
• Food
• Keep nonperishable food items in car throughout winter and restock as needed.
• Granola bars
• Nuts (Almonds, peanuts, etc.)
• Beef Jerky
• Water
• Shovel
• Tow Strap 
• Jumper Cables 
• Chemical hot packs
• Extra battery for phone
• Check your fuel tank - do not travel with less than 1/2 tank of gas if possible.