With the winter season already here, Michigan residents are starting to prepare for the treacherous incoming weather. Huge snowstorms, blizzards, hail, ice and wind that cuts through even Hunter Green’s humongous Carhartt jacket all lead to dangerous driving conditions.

The winter season brings very concerning road hazards to everyone; snow that blinds drivers, slippery roads, ice, and lots more that can lead to life-threatening conditions. 17% of accidents happen in winter conditions, as well as about 120,000 injuries and almost 2,000 deaths due to snowy or icy roads, according to carsurance.net.

Small things that you can do to be prepared to drive in bad weather include keeping a full tank of gas, bringing your phone with a full battery, using tire chains and keeping a road-side assistance kit that includes things like road flares, a knife, a high-visible vest, a first aid kit, tow straps or chains, gloves or basic tools.

Driving in the winter should be avoided, but when you do have to drive in the treacherous weather conditions, precautions should be taken, such as reducing speed, taking slower turns, leaving early, allowing at least three times as much room as usual between you and the vehicle in front of you (according to The New York State DMV), avoiding roads that are not plowed and salted, being extra cautious going over bridges, and only passing other vehicles if you are certain that it’s smart and safe.

An anonymous local motorist says, “I always make sure to be extra careful when there is snow on the ground, because during a heavy snowstorm, I was exiting my neighborhood when my truck began to slide off the road and I ended up hitting a road sign.”

Although precautions are a good way to have a safer drive, sometimes it is necessary to do the opposite in order to remain safe on the roads. For example, local motorist Preston Paisley reports that, “if someone is going under 25mph in a 50 mph and constantly braking, I will end up passing them.” People who do this are usually operating vehicles that are not meant to be operated in winter conditions, which doesn’t only endanger the person driving, but all other motorists on the road.

Even though passing another motorist can be dangerous, it can be considered a good idea when it is safe, road conditions are not bad and especially when that vehicle is making you nervous for any reason.

Deputy Eric DeLanoy of Oakland county does not recommend passing a motorist in bad road conditions. “I don’t recommend passing a car in bad conditions, and it could possibly lead to a ticket. If a vehicle is making you nervous I would recommend to increase your following distance.”

Sometimes performing a passing maneuver can agitate a driver and cause them to not be smart behind the wheel, which is why you always have to remain fully conscious when behind the wheel.

All vehicles are prone to having some sort of problem, whether it’s a flat tire or engine issues. In the winter season, those problems can become much more of a nuisance, due to freezing temperatures. You should be prepared for such situations, but not everyone is; that’s why organizations such as AAA (American Automobile Association) are around. AAA provides roadside assistance to motorists all across the country. Costing between $40 and $165, per person, per year, most would think it is well worth it.

Michigan weather is something that is very hard to deal with for everyone in some way, especially in the winter, but it shouldn’t make you nervous. Most vehicles driven on the road today are equipped with things like Traction Control and ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) that helps make your vehicle as safe as possible, but the main thing that will keep you and other drivers safe is knowing your vehicle’s limits. Vehicles like trucks and SUVs are built for bad driving conditions and are equipped with things like 4×4 or AWD (All Wheel Drive), allowing those vehicles to handle a lot better in bad conditions.