Your Guide To Winter Road Safety

Interstate 80 through lower Wyoming had become a gnarled mess by the time State Patroller Jeremy Beck grabbed a cup of coffee and looked at the day’s log. Three crashes crimped the westbound lanes and a long line of drivers were stuck for hours.

“Were their vehicles even prepared to handle this kind weather?” was one of the first thoughts going through Sgt. Beck’s mind. 

Drivers who kept their vehicles well-maintained were more prepared for the harsh weather they encountered during the road closure, Sgt. Beck said.

Sgt. Beck has seen every kind of winter weather Wyoming can hurl at drivers–rain, sleet, hail, snow, ice-encrusted roads, floods, roadside fire, lightning and tornadoes. Problem is, many of those conditions can happen in the same month.

Visiting northern climes

The same is true of other northern climates such as Canada, border states, Maine and even down into Texas. Autumn tornadoes have touched down in Ohio, Alabama and Texas. Floods inundated coastal areas from Florida to New York and Newfoundland.

“Make sure your vehicle is in good working order before you head out,” Sgt. Beck said. “Folks don’t always appreciate how fast the weather can change.”

During his 25 years in the Equality State, Sgt. Beck has seen wild swings within hours or even minutes.

Avoid overconfidence

“It takes a matter of seconds for a winter road to become a major pile-up,” said Sgt. Beck, who owns an all-wheel drive SUV. “Just because you have all-wheel drive does not mean you have all-wheel stop.

“If your vehicle is not equipped for winter driving you are endangering other drivers. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order before heading out on a long trip.”

Sgt. Beck shared his personal list of driving tips for the 2022 holiday season:

Basic road survival checklist for winter:

1. Pack clothes for icy weather even if your destination is a balmy climate. Sgt.  Beck has known drivers who got stuck in severe weather without the proper attire. That is especially true for drivers along the Highway 80 corridor from California to New York. The route passes some of the most severe winter zones in the US.
2. Take along an extra carton of windshield wiper fluid no matter where you are driving this winter. Winter roads can spray a lot of grime onto windows and you may not find fluid at a local fuel stop.
3. Stop at a filling station and check tire inflation frequently during your travels. Cold weather can dramatically reduce inflation overnight. 

Note: Carry a tire gauge in the glove compartment of your vehicle. Get the most accurate reading by checking tire pressure after your vehicle has been parked for at least a few hours–usually first thing in the morning. 

1. Slow down for road conditions. Sgt. Beck fingered unsafe speed as the frequent cause of winter accidents on icy Wyoming roads.
2. Prepare for the unexpected. Carry food, a blanket, water. Recent accidents along Interstate 80 caused drivers to sit in backups miles long for hours. 
3. Top off your tank frequently. Driving through remote areas can become life-threatening if an accident means your family must wait for hours to get help or is stranded on a freeway during a snow blizzard.
4. Do not drive through standing water. Obstructions and potholes can severely damage your vehicle and cause accidents. Slow down, drive around water whenever possible.
5. Replace tires even though they may offer a bit more mileage. Minimum tread may be legal but not necessarily safe for winter roads.
6. Do not use high beams when visibility is low like during snowstorms or foggy conditions. The light gets reflected back toward your vehicle and can impair vision.
7. Take along an emergency road kit that includes flares. Also pack a hand-held shovel for snow, an ice scraper and first aid kit. 
8. Plan your route in detail before leaving on your journey. Check weather and road conditions along the route. Also, plan for alternate routes.

Note for electric vehicles: Use conservative estimates for how many miles you can drive without recharging. Remote areas may not have charging stations and road closures can drain power. Make sure to map out charging locations before leaving town.

1. Bring back-up batteries for cell phones and other devices.
2. Secure your pets in the cabin. They can become driving distractions. They also turn into projectiles during sudden stops or evasive maneuvers, causing injury to themselves and others. 
3. Don’t get overconfident if you have an all-wheel drive vehicle and ABS brakes. All-wheel drive helps provide power to multiple wheels and makes it easier to navigate icy conditions if outfitted with winter tires. ABS brakes help keep the vehicle stable during stops but does not stop the vehicle in shorter distance.

“All-wheel drive does not mean all-wheel stop,” Sgt. Beck said. “Drivers need to slow down in adverse conditions.”

1. All passengers need to wear seat belts at all times. Highway fatalities have increased in Wyoming and other remote areas this year compared to the COVID period from 2019 through 2021. In Wyoming during 2022, some 70 percent of the fatalities occurred among occupants not wearing a seat belt.

“The simplest thing you can do to increase your odds of not being injured is wearing a seatbelt,” Sgt. Beck said.