These 5 States Have the Most Dangerous Roads in Winter – Jalopnik

When it comes to driving in harsh weather conditions, winter tops the list. In fact, 17% of accidents are due to icy weather conditions, and these are our readers’ worst winter driving experiences. Some states top the list for fatalities, making driving there extremely dangerous in the winter months. According to MoneyGeekThese states include Alaska, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, all of which have a common theme: cold weather. However, there are other factors that contribute to these roads becoming so dangerous as temperatures drop, including things like geography, topography, infrastructure, and even population density.

The best approach is not to drive during severe winter conditions. However, if that’s not possible, there are some unbreakable winter driving rules that can help you make it through your commute alive and in one piece. You can start by buying good tires. Forget all-season tires, the smart money is on winter tires. These specialized components have a softer rubber compound with complex tread patterns that are flexible and grip the road even when temperatures drop below 45 degrees.

Michigan has high traffic highways such as I-75 and I-94. Due to the high traffic density on these highways, the snow deposited on the roads experiences many cycles of melting and refreezing, which can create massive amounts of black ice. These invisible ice sheets provide little to no grip. The resulting carnage of crashes and pileups puts Michigan in the top spot when it comes to states with the most dangerous roads for winter driving.

To drive safely in the mountains of Pennsylvania, visibility is a crucial factor. While the weather is not something you have no control over, there are a few steps you can take to ensure maximum visibility. For example, keep your windows clean. As difficult as it is to remove ice from your windshield, clean the whole damn thing. Do the same for all windows, mirrors, headlights and taillights, and even the roof. The roof is important because excess snow can fly onto the driver’s windshield behind you, or slide onto your own windshield if you brake suddenly, causing an abrupt loss of visibility.

The most common theme between the states here is freezing rain. This invisible killer is a thin layer of transparent ice that forms on the road after snow melts and then freezes again, or when moisture condenses on cold roads. The biggest problem with black ice is that it is almost invisible while driving. The moment your car’s tires come into contact with black ice, the coefficient of friction between the two surfaces drops to almost zero. So basically you have no traction and no control of your vehicle as you turn away. Black ice is mainly found on bridges and viaducts because the air circulating above and below the road cools the road surface faster.

First, your car is your survival capsule. Do not leave your vehicle unless you see help in the form of a populated area within a short, accessible distance. For warmth, you should drive your car sparingly. Make sure your car’s exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow, as this can leak deadly carbon monoxide gas into the cabin. A survival bag is a must. Start wrapping for warmth and insulation. Next is food and first aid. You will also need a tow strap and a small shovel in the car. You may also want a bag of kitty litter, which can provide traction if you get stuck in the ice. A portable power bank and a flashlight with extra batteries are next on the list. Finally, have some flares as these can help paramedics or rescue personnel pinpoint your location in the event of a whiteout.

To be safe while driving in such conditions, you need to be patient. Increase your following distance and expand your field of view. A good rule of thumb is to leave between 180 and 600 feet of space between you and the car in front of you when driving in snowy or icy conditions. This buffer makes a big difference when you’re driving on smooth, slippery roads instead of dry asphalt. By looking ahead, you can be preventative when the vehicle in front brakes or goes out of control.

However, the greatest danger often comes from the person behind the wheel. Driving too fast, not braking in time and not reading the road properly can all lead to catastrophic consequences. Often drivers fail to adapt to icy road conditions and can lose control. Slow, gradual and measured inputs are the key to safe driving in these conditions. Light throttle ensures you don’t lose traction on low-friction surfaces, while progressive braking helps keep you from spinning out of control.