RICHMOND—Deck the halls, plan the gift list, and pack the car. With holiday shopping, errands and family travel in full swing, safety experts are urging caution when venturing out this winter.
“As winter weather sets in, every decision behind the wheel matters,” said Kristin Pettway, executive director of the nonprofit Drive Smart Virginia. “Slow down, stay focused, drive sober and buckle up so every family, including yours, can celebrate the holidays together.”
To stay safe on the roads this holiday season, Drive Smart Virginia encourages drivers to plan ahead. If imbibing at celebrations, use a ride-sharing app or a designated driver to get home safely. And when running errands and shopping for presents, stay observant and aware of your surroundings. Stores will be busy, and nearly 20% of crashes happen in parking lots and garages. So always watch for pedestrians.
Roadways during winter can be treacherous, making it critical to practice safe driving habits. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were an estimated 101,390 reported traffic crashes involving snow or sleet conditions in 2023. Of those, 22,293 were accidents with injuries and 320 were fatalities.
If a winter storm is imminent, monitor weather forecasts and postpone travel. If travel is unavoidable, share your plans with someone before you leave and ensure your phone stays fully charged.
Be sure to remove all snow and ice from your vehicle, including any sensors, external cameras and headlights. When driving on slick roads, slow down, don’t engage cruise control, increase following distance, and accelerate and decelerate slowly.
Keep a winter emergency kit in your car containing a couple of blankets, a phone car charger, water, food and necessary medication. Stock a snow shovel, broom, ice scraper and sand or kitty litter in case your vehicle gets stuck in snow. Jumper cables, a flashlight and warning devices like flares all can help during a roadside emergency.
And before driving somewhere for the holidays, be sure to complete a road trip checklist:
• Check the car’s cooling system, fluid levels and hoses.
• Check tire tread and replace tires if necessary, as worn tires increase hydroplaning risk.
• Check the tire pressure— as temperatures drop, so does tire pressure.
• Ensure all headlights, brake lights, emergency flashers and turn signals are working properly.
• Check wiper blades and replace as needed.
• Add winter-rated wiper fluid.
• Always keep at least a half-tank of gas in your car.
• Test your battery, as low temperatures reduce battery performance.
• If you have an electric vehicle, follow best practices to winterize your EV and reduce battery drain during low temperatures.
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Virginia Farm Bureau
