Winter Driving Accident Statistics

Snow and ice can turn an ordinary drive into a deadly one. Slick and slushy roads create dangerous conditions that can send the most experienced driver careening into another vehicle. Sadly, these winter driving accidents happen more often that you might think.

Consider these statistics from Carsurance and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety:

• Winter weather is a factor in nearly 500,000 car crashes and 2,000 fatalities every year.
• 17% of all auto accidents in the U.S. occur during winter weather conditions.
• Over 70% of U.S. roads are in snowy areas.
• About 70% of the U.S. population lives in snowy regions that get an average of five inches of snowfall annually.
• Every year, about 76,000 Americans are injured in traffic crashes during a snowfall.
• Annually, around 116,800 people are hurt in auto accidents on snowy or icy roads.
• Snow, slush, and ice account for nearly a quarter of all weather-related crashes.
• Around 15 percent of car accidents caused by inclement weather occur in snow and sleet.
• Fatal accidents are most likely in the Midwestern and Plains states, but can also occur in the South.
• December is the worst winter month for deadly traffic accidents.

Safety Tips for Winter Driving

Staying safe while driving in winter means taking extra precautions before you leave home:

• Check the weather forecast: Try to avoid driving if you know that hazardous winter weather is on its way.
• Check your visibility: Clear all ice and snow from your windshield, windows, mirrors, and roof before driving.
• Inspect your vehicle: Check your gas, windshield wipers, lights, battery, tire pressure, and especially your brakes. It can take up to 10 times longer to stop in snowy conditions.
• Check your spare: Don’t forget to check your spare tire in case of a blowout.
• Create an emergency kit: A flashlight, extra cell phone charger, ice scraper, water, food, and blankets can be a lifesaver if you’re in an accident or stuck on the side of the road.
• Let someone know your route: Make sure a family member or friend knows when you leave, what roads you will be taking, and when you expect to arrive at your destination. That way, someone will know to look out for you if you don’t show up on time.
• Clear your tailpipe: If you have to dig out of a heavy snowfall, make sure to clear the tailpipe of any snow immediately. Otherwise, it can fill the car with carbon monoxide, potentially killing anyone who is inside staying warm.

Injured in a Car Accident? Contact Stewart Law Offices Today

Have you or a loved one been hurt in a car accident in South Carolina or North Carolina? A successful claim for compensation can provide money for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Talk to a top car accident lawyer at Stewart Law Offices today. Our law firm has four South Carolina locations, in Rock Hill, Columbia, Spartanburg, and Beaufort.** We also serve auto accident victims in North Carolina from our Charlotte office.

For more information or a free consultation, please call or contact us today.

Originally published January 2017, updated December 2020.

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