The USA is an enormous country, spanning approximately 5,680,000 square miles. That makes it the third-largest country in the world after Russia and Canada. Variations in latitude and elevation result in contrasting winter conditions throughout the country.
The southern states experience mild winters, while the northern and northeastern regions regularly experience snowfall and freezing winter temperatures.
While our human inclination is to cuddle up and enjoy a cup of coffee indoors during December, January, and February, that is not always realistic. Errands must be run, work needs to get done, and sooner or later, we must face the dangers of driving in inclement weather.
This article will not only discuss the challenges of driving during the winter months but will also provide some helpful tips to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable commute.
Winter Driving Statistics: Editor’s Choice
- Most driving crashes in Minnesota occur during the winter season. Between 2015 and 2019, officers reported snowy or icy road conditions in 78,335 road accidents.
- The most dangerous states for driving in winter are Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Montana.
- 24% of weather-related crashes in the US occur on snowy pavements.
- 20% of the US Department of Transportation (DOT) budget accounts for road maintenance during winter.
- Approximately 900 people are killed, and a further 76,000 people are injured annually in car accidents during snowfall.
27 Winter Driving Facts
- 70% of American roads are located in areas prone to snowfall of more than 5 inches a year. Almost 70% of Americans live in these snowy regions. This means that two-thirds of American people regularly have to deal with impaired driving conditions brought about by snow, sleet, or ice.
- 36% of winter driving deaths occurred in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Illinois combined. This makes these five states the most dangerous in terms of winter driving.
- Black ice is a term commonly used to describe clear ice found on roadways. In the early morning and at night, when temperatures are always at their coldest, black ice is most common.
Due to it being transparent and almost invisible to the naked eye, black ice is particularly hazardous to drivers and often a cause of motor vehicle accidents.
Statistics of Weather-Related Accidents
- Icy roads are a hazard worth avoiding. Annually, accidents on icy roads amount to about 1,836 deaths and 136,309 injuries. That’s more than 3.6 times the cumulative amount of all other weather hazards combined.
- Drivers from midwestern states struggle with driving during snowy conditions the most. The reason for this is that midwestern states don’t get noteworthy snowy conditions as often as their northern counterparts. The drivers in these areas are thus less prepared to drive on slick, snow and ice-covered tarmac. A study showed that icy roads caused more fatal car accidents in Indiana than in any other state in the 2008/2009 winter season.
- Adverse weather (rain, sleet, fog, snow, strong crosswinds, snow/sand/debris, slick pavements, etc.) contributes to approximately 4,900 fatal car crashes, 301,100 injuries, and 919,700 damages to property each year.
- On average, 21% of all car crashes each year are weather-related, nearly 1,235,000.
- In the ten years between 2007 and 2016, an average of 5,891,000 vehicle crashes were recorded annually.
- Snowy, slushy, or icy pavement conditions account for 24% of weather-related car accidents annually.
- 78,335 crashes were reported in Minnesota from 2015-2019 due to snowy or icy roads. These crashes resulted in 180 deaths and 19,644.
- Driving during snowfall or sleet on the roads can be deadly. Each year nearly 900 people die and a further 76,000 people are injured in crashes during snowfall and sleet conditions
Safety Driving Statistics During Winter
- Snow and ice greatly affect driving speeds on national roads. According to the FHWA, freeway speeds are reduced by between 3 and 13 percent in light snow and between 5 and 40 percent in heavy snowfall.
- Awareness of the proper use of seatbelts has improved in recent years. Female drivers have a clearer understanding of how to properly buckle a child in. 59.3% of female drivers understood that it is better not to clip a seatbelt over a child’s winter coat as opposed to 40.7% of male drivers.
- 2.3 billion dollars are spent annually on snow and ice control. This accounts for roughly 20% of DOT’s annual maintenance budget.
Winter Safety Facts By State
- Dumping any objects, including snow, onto Oregon highways or their rights-of-way is illegal. Shoveling snow from your driveway into the roadway or shoulder creates a driving hazard that is punishable by law.
- Oregon offers alternative commuting options during winter. One public group operating in Oregon promotes innovative transportation solutions such as cycling and ridesharing.
- Chicago’s Department of Street and Sanitation (DSS) is responsible for the safety of 9,400 lane miles during winter. They coordinate the fight against dangerous roads in snowy conditions from a central point called Snow Command. From this command center, they use a network of cameras and pavement sensors to assess weather and road conditions. When they need to act, they deploy their snow personnel to start snow clearance on any of their 280 snow routes.
- During the 2020/2021 winter season, the New York State Department Of Transportation plowed nearly 10 million miles of road to keep motorists safe. That’s almost the same distance as traveling to the moon and back 21 times.
- Michigan State is known for being proactive in its fight against slippery road conditions. Detroit started spreading salt on roads to act as a deicer as early as the 1940s, the first city in the world to do so. Since then, the state has adopted this approach annually.
driving in the Summer vs Winter: Statistics
- According to the National Safety Council (NSC), in 2019, the majority of motor accident-related fatalities occurred in August.
- The NSC reports a decrease in the number of fatalities, along with a reduction in vehicle miles in the Winter months. However, in Summer, when more people are on the road, the number of fatalities increases.
- For example, in Minnesota, the highest number of fatal crashes occur in the Summer months. However, most car crashes generally occur in Winter, with 78,335 accidents in the last 5 years.
- The AAA has labeled the period following Memorial Day as “the 100 deadliest days.”
Each day an average of 10 people will lose their lives in an accident involving a teenage driver. The number of crashes involving young drivers aged 16-19 increases dramatically during these Summer months.
Latest Major Winter Crashes In the US
- On 11 February 2021, unusually icy conditions led to a 100-car pile-up on the Texas interstate. It is reported that 6 people lost their lives, and 65 persons were hospitalized with injuries ranging from mild to critical. This included front-line healthcare workers getting off their shifts who had little choice but to travel in hazardous conditions.
- On 15 February 2021, over 70% of the US was covered in snow. The winter storm left 4 people dead across 3 states and 4.3 million without power in Texas. Louisiana had over 150 traffic accidents due to the freezing rain, sleet, and snow.
- On 23 December 2022, 4 people died in a 46-car pile-up after a strong winter storm on the Ohio Turnpike. At least 15 commercial trucks and dozens of cars were mangled on the interstate covered in snow.
State Ranking of Winter Fatal Crashes
10 States with Highest Number of Fatal Car Crashes in Winter
| Rank | State | Snow/Sleet Fatal Crashes | Fatal Crashes per Capita |
| 1 | Wyoming | 14 | 34.1 |
| 2 | North Dakota | 11 | 19.6 |
| 3 | Nebraska | 18 | 12.7 |
| 4 | Vermont | 7 | 12.5 |
| 5 | Alaska | 6 | 11.3 |
| 6 | Montana | 9 | 11.3 |
| 7 | Maine | 10 | 9.6 |
| 8 | Iowa | 18 | 8 |
| 9 | South Dakota | 5 | 7.9 |
| 10 | Michigan | 55 | 7.7 |
10 States with the lowest number of Car Crashes in Winter
| Rank | State | Snow/Sleet Fatal Crashes | Fatal Crashes per Capita |
| 37 | Massachusetts | 4 | 0.8 |
| 37 | New Jersey | 5 | 0.8 |
| 39 | Mississippi | 1 | 0.5 |
| 40 | Arizona | 2 | 0.4 |
| 41 | Texas | 6 | 0.3 |
| 41 | Louisiana | 1 | 0.3 |
| 43 | Georgia | 1 | 0.1 |
| 44 | California | 1 | 0.0 |
| 45 | Rhode Island | 0 | 0.0 |
Safety Tips When Driving Icy Road Conditions
- Drive slowly and avoid any distractions, such as texting or changing radio stations.
- Keep your windshield clear from ice and snow. Use an ice scraper at the start of your journey.
- Ensure your tires are in good condition with sufficient tread. Worn tires will easily lose traction in snowy and wet conditions.
- Never use Cruise- control in icy conditions. You need to be in full control of your car at all times.
- If weather conditions are particularly bad, avoid driving altogether if you can help it.
- If you encounter a patch of Black ice, avoid the urge to panic and do the following:
- Reduce speed and shift into a lower gear to make the vehicle easier to control.
- Avoid slamming on the brakes, and keep the steering wheel as straight as possible.
- If you feel the back of your car sliding to the left or right, slowly turn the steering wheel in the same direction. If you turn the wheel in the opposite direction, the vehicle might skid or spin out.
- If you skid off the road, try to steer into something that will cause the least damage, such as an empty field or a snowbank.
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Buying Temporary Winter Car Insurance: Is It Worth It?
Does car insurance cover snow accidents? 70% of Americans live in areas with inclement winter weather (meaning winter car accidents can happen.). If you fall into this percentage, it may be worth switching to a more comprehensive insurance plan during the unforgiving, cold winter weather months.
Some drivers store their vehicles out of harm’s way for the winter months. According to law, your vehicle must also be insured during this time. Insurance can’t be paused or canceled for a few months each year, as you will likely be penalized.
The most practical solution would be to reduce coverage from comprehensive to storage cover.
FAQs
How Much Of Vehicular Collisions Are Skidding Related?
15% of accidents are the result of a vehicle skidding. Skidding can occur in winter as the water and ice cause tires to lose traction. Braking or excessive speed can cause tires to lose grip on the road surface. Skidding can be counteracted by remaining calm and releasing the gas pedal rather than braking hard. The driver must then steer into the skid and not away from it.
Can Your Car Handle 100 mPH?
Modern cars are built to drive faster than speed limits allow, but in the long run, it will result in higher maintenance costs and cause engine strain. Driving smoothly and accelerating slowly will help reduce wear and tear on the car.
How many people pass away in car accidents annually?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.3 million people die yearly in a traffic accident. Almost half of these accidents involve the death of a cyclist, pedestrian, or motorcyclist. 38,000 of these deaths occur in the United States. That’s 12.4 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.
How Dangerous Is Winter Driving?
Snow, rain, and ice build-up can cause a vehicle to lose traction during the winter months. This makes it more difficult to turn, slow down, and bring the vehicle to a stop.
Limited visibility makes it harder to see your surroundings clearly, particularly when other drivers slow down or brake suddenly.
Final Considerations
Driving your car in the winter months can be quite daunting, especially if you live in the northern states where snow and icy conditions occur regularly during the winter months.
Winter crash statistics often justify the apprehension. But you don’t have to be a victim of adverse weather.
By planning your commute ahead of time and following some of these winter driving tips, you can stay out of harm’s way. The Department of Transportation in various states is trying to be proactive in its fight against the adverse effects of bad weather.
Be vigilant on the roads, not only in the winter season but at all times, wear your seatbelt, ensure your vehicle is in good working condition, and enjoy your commute.
References
https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/weather_events/snow_ice.html
https://www.valuepenguin.com/auto-insurance/deadliest-states-winter-driving
https://www.oregon.gov/odot/pages/winter-driving.aspx
https://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/driving-on-ice.htm
https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/q1_roadimpact.htm
https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/winter-driving/Pages/default.aspx
https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/weather_events/snow_ice.htm
https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/q1_roadimpact.htm
https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/winter-driving-statistics/#:~:text=36.9%25%20(1.9%25%20higher%20than,mats%2C%20or%20a%20disposable%20cellphone.
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/d459b1501ada4c01a2530e217de4a62b
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/02/11/winter-weather-ice-storm-knocks-out-power-sleet-freezing-rain/6717720002/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/02/15/winter-storm-texas-power-outages-south-ice-snow/4487366001/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2022/12/24/ohio-winter-weather-pileup-storm/
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/road-traffic-injuries#:~:text=Key%20facts,result%20of%20road%20traffic%20crashes.&text=Road%20traffic%20crashes%20cost%20most,pedestrians%2C%20cyclists%2C%20and%20motorcyclists.
