Updated on 11/15/2021 at 8:00 a.m.
Though winter technically starts on December 21, we Wisconsinites know that snow and sub-zero temperatures are usually abundant by the time the December holidays roll around. Battling ice-covered roads makes travel challenging, but there are some things you can do to make it a little easier. Here are some tips to make sure you and your family are ready for winter travel this year.
Get a tune-up
A breakdown in cold weather can mean headaches and exposure to potentially hazardous conditions. Take your car in for regular maintenance and address recommendations, including wipers and defrost capabilities. Tires should be in good condition – this is not an area to cut costs. Tires provide traction and keep you on the road in slick conditions.
Keep supplies in your car
We’ve all heard this before, but many Wisconsinites don’t do it. You never know when you will need the following, so it’s a good idea to keep the below items in your car all winter long.
- Blankets
- Warm clothes (boots, gloves and hat)
- Hand/foot warmers
- Car safety kit (includes jumper cables, stopped vehicle flares or reflectors and a flashlight)
- Extra container of windshield wiper fluid
- Ice/snow scraper
- Protein bars or other nonperishable food
- Phone charger
Plan and communicate your route
Know how long it will take you to travel, and allow extra time for inclement weather. Take the roads most likely to be clear. Preferably, avoid traveling altogether during bad weather. Visit the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website for an interactive map. The map shows which roads are in good condition and which roads need to be avoided.
When traveling, make sure someone knows where you are going, the route you plan to take and when to expect you back. Modern smart devices even allow you to send your location for a given amount of time, letting a loved one see, in real time, how you are progressing along your journey.
Drive only if fit
If you are too tired, ill or have had alcohol, it is not a good idea to drive. Winter conditions may call for sharp reaction time, which may be reduced if you don’t feel 100 percent. If possible, rotate driving responsibility to keep the drivers fresh.
Drive cautiously
It should seem obvious, but many people don’t make adjustments to their driving habits for the winter. Allow extra room for stopping, drive at reduced speeds to account for conditions, don’t change lanes frequently and use your turn signals.
Mind travel changes due to public health dangers
At the time of this article's updating, we're entering our third winter in the midst of a global pandemic for COVID-19. Many of the amenities that were formerly reliable staples while traveling are either not available in their former capacity or experts are recommending reduced usage to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus and COVID-19.
Beyond the pandemic, considering public health will continue to be important. Make sure your travel kit has an extra mask for everybody who will be traveling and keep hygiene products, such as hand sanitizer or wipes, along for the ride. The dry air and indoor nature of winter activities can make virus transmission especially significant while we all wait for things to warm up.
Winter draws us closer together. Let's make an effort to gather safely.
For most of the year, we simply jump in our cars and take off with little pre-planning. But as the temperatures drop, taking simple precautions can help protect you and your family from harm while on the road.
For more information on how your Wisconsin health plan is working to build healthy and strong Wisconsin communities during the winter and all year, contact us today.
