Driving in snow is a reality that many Americans have to face every day. But, although it’s scary to those who have never done it before, it’s not impossible to drive safely in any winter wonderland.

These are the top four things you should keep in mind while driving in the snow!

Follow These When You Are Driving In The Snow

Drive Slowly But Follow Traffic Laws

Traffic laws are there to protect you in normal weather conditions: but they’re even more important in hazardous conditions. If it’s snowing, ensure that you don’t undertake any risky behavior. Don’t speed, avoid running red lights or stop signs, and keep to the right side of the road unless something impedes the flow of traffic on that side.

Driving slower allows you to be prepared to stop if you hit a slick piece of ice and your car starts sliding out of control and will protect you from most major accidents. However, if you speed or go above fifty miles per hour, you may be leaving yourself set up for a crash on an icy and unpredictable path.

Avoid Going Into Areas Where Depth Is Unclear

Sometimes with snow and ice, it can be hard to tell how deep the snow is. This could leave you open to major accidents if you’re unfamiliar with this patch of the road. Also, in areas with no recent tire tracks or where you can’t tell how deep the snow and ice are, driving across it could leave you open to injury.

Avoid this, and try to stick to main roads or areas that you know better. If a site is marked off as hazardous, avoid taking this route unless you can see that several others are making it safely.

Keep Emergency Supplies In Car

Although a crash, or getting stranded, is the last thing anyone wants to deal with: it happens. So if you’re driving on hazardous roads, it’s a good idea to keep some emergency supplies on hand. These should be simple things like water, snacks, rechargeable external phone batteries, and some blankets.

Don’t keep these in your trunk if it’s sealed off from the rest of the car because you would have to step outside to retrieve them, and that might not be safe. Instead, keep these somewhere easily accessible, like directly behind the drivers’ seat, and ensure that you pay attention to expiration dates and other needs.

Keep Calm If You Slip Off The Road

Sometimes slipping off of the road happens, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. A good Scranton truck accident lawyer can help you if the crash isn’t your fault: but immediately after the accident, you must take care of yourself. If your car slips off the road and you’re not buried in snow, you can often pull back onto the road.

If you’re stuck, and nobody is around or is pulling over for you, call roadside assistance, or if your life is at risk, don’t be afraid to call 911 to receive help as soon as possible. It might feel silly to call, but it’s better to be safe than frozen.