Winter Driving in Illinois: What You Need to Know

Whether we are ready or not, winter is on its way. If you are a long-time resident or have visited various areas of Illinois frequently, you know that the winters here can be very harsh. The winds are strong, it snows often, and icy conditions are almost unavoidable.

It is not uncommon for drivers to experience serious challenges when navigating the dangerous roadways in Springfield and other cities across our state during the winter, leading to serious and even deadly car accidents.

How common are winter weather accidents?

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), close to 6 million car accidents occur in the United States every year. More than 1.2 million of these accidents involve hazardous weather conditions, such as rain, ice, snow, fog, or high winds. We will discuss the winter-related accident data further below.

• Snow and sleet: Almost 220,000 crashes occurred in snow or sleet between 2007 and 2016. Close to 50,000 people were injured in accidents in these conditions, and about 700 people lost their lives.
• Icy roads: Over 155,000 crashes and accidents occurred on icy roads between 2007 and 2016. Over 40,000 people were injured, and over 500 people were killed.
• Wet roads: Around 860,000 car accidents occurred on wet roads between 2007 and 2016. This resulted in more than 320,000 people being injured and over 4,000 people being killed.
• Snowy or slushy roads: Between 2007 and 2016, snowy or slushy roads caused more than 185,000 car accidents, over 42,000 injuries, and about 500 fatalities.

Unfortunately, winter weather accidents are quite common across the United States. To make matters worse, Illinois is one of the 15 states with the most dangerous roads for winter driving, which means that residents and visitors in our state have a high risk of experiencing severe and fatal injuries on the roadways from November to March.

How to prepare for winter driving ahead of time

It is essential to prepare for winter driving ahead of time. This means that before winter weather arrives and before you drive your vehicle in any hazardous weather conditions, you should make sure that you and your vehicle are prepared. There are many ways you can do this, such as:

• Having your vehicle inspected and maintained for winter: Before winter weather arrives, you should have your vehicle inspected and maintained. Your auto mechanic will inspect your vehicle, assess your brakes, determine whether you have enough fluids, check out your windshield wipers and lights, and make any repairs or replacements. They should also ensure that your tires are in good condition and have enough air, which can make a huge difference when driving in winter.
• Staying informed and updated about the weather: As winter quickly approaches, staying informed and updated about the weather is important. This way, you can be aware of any winter storms or hazards before they happen and can make a sound decision about whether it is worth driving or not.
• Clearing any snow, sleet, or ice off your car: Before driving your vehicle, you should make sure that you scrape all the snow, sleet, or ice off your car. Some people only remove the snow or ice from the driver’s side windshield area and expect the rest to fall off when driving. However, this can lead to a dangerous situation for yourself and others if ice or snow flies off and hits another vehicle or pedestrian. You should never leave home without a snow brush or scraper, and ensure you get all ice, sleet, and snow off your vehicle (including the top and back) before getting behind the wheel and driving off.
• Planning your route and knowing what to expect if a road is closed or blocked: Another critical step to prepare for winter driving is to plan your route. This ensures that you take the safest path to work, school, home, or any other location if a snow or ice storm arrives. It also means that you will be familiar with the alternative roads you can take if you come across obstacles or closures due to hazardous conditions, an accident, or heavy traffic trying to navigate the storm.
• Leaving early: When you are ready to leave, you should give yourself adequate time to make it to your destination in snow, sleet, rain, or icy conditions. This means that you should leave a little earlier than usual to avoid rushing or speeding, which could cause a crash.

How to handle winter-related conditions when driving in Springfield, IL

To avoid winter weather accidents, you must drive carefully, cautiously, and defensively. While we may hope that winter weather accidents are completely unavoidable, you cannot control the actions of others. However, you can make sure that you refrain from making any mistakes or poor choices behind the wheel, which can increase your chances of being involved in a winter-related collision. Here are a few tips you can remember when driving in winter-related conditions in Springfield:

Wear your seat belt: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that seat belts saved about 15,000 lives in 2017. This is because seat belts help keep drivers and passengers safe, upright, and secure inside the vehicle during a crash. To increase your safety during winter-related conditions, you should strongly consider wearing your seat belt.

Turn on your headlights no matter what time of day it is: Using your headlights at all times can help increase visibility, allowing you to see other vehicles, the roadway, and even street signs better during snow, sleet, fog, or rain. In addition, others may have a better chance of seeing your vehicle, which can reduce the risk of accidents due to lack of visibility.

Concentrate on the roads and driving: It is easy to become distracted behind the wheel. You may be tempted to check your emails, read text messages, scroll social media, or even flip through radio stations. However, it is crucial that you concentrate on the roads and driving at all times. It only takes a few seconds to hit an unexpected patch of ice or snow and lose control of your vehicle.

Drive a little slower than usual: Although you may want to get out of the winter weather conditions as quickly as possible, you must drive a little slower. Speed limits are established to direct us on how fast to drive during normal weather conditions. Driving a little slower than the posted speed limit during inclement weather is recommended to avoid an accident.

Do not follow too closely: Give the vehicle in front of you plenty of space and distance. If you follow too closely, your vehicle may slide across the wet, slippery, or even icy roadway, causing you to slam into the back of the vehicle.

Gently push on the brakes or gas: When driving in winter-related conditions, you must gently press on the brakes or gas pedal. If you suddenly or forcefully step on the brakes or gas, your tires can lose traction, which can cause your vehicle to lock up, slide, and even lose control.

Pull over and take a break if needed: If driving conditions become too challenging, you should take a break. It is never recommended to keep driving if there is snow, sleet, or heavy rain and the roads become dangerous. Instead, you should find an area where you can safely remain until the winter storm passes or call a friend or family member with four-wheel drive to pick you up and take you home. During this time, having a blanket, gloves, water, snacks, and a flashlight is a good idea, and you should always store them in a safe and accessible place for these potential scenarios.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a winter-related car crash, the Springfield car accident lawyers at Glisson Law are available to assist you. Our team has over three decades of experience helping clients with car accident cases. Please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation today. Our firm is based in Alton and proudly serves Belleville, Edwardsville, Springfield, St. Clair and Madison Counties, all of Southwestern Illinois, and Missouri.