Author: Casey Nighbor

Winter is the most difficult driving season. Not only do you have snow and ice to deal with, but there are fewer hours of daylight as well. In addition, many of the people with whom you share the road lack the skills and the temperament to safely navigate the roadways in snow, ice and fog. It goes without saying that you need to take time before every trip to know and understand weather and traffic conditions. You need to ensure your equipment is in peak operating conditions—paying special attention to tires, lighting, windshield wipers and washer fluids.

Driving in the winter means snow, sleet and ice, which can lead to slower traffic, hazardous road conditions, hot tempers, and unforeseen dangers. Once on the road, you need to be prepared, patient and cautious.

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Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released its “Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities for the first Half (January-June) of 2021.” The report shows the biggest six-month increase recorded in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System’s history. An estimated 20,160 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the first half of 2021, up 18.4% from 2020. That’s the largest number of projected fatalities in that time since 2006.

Preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration show vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the first half of 2021 increased by about 13%. The fatality rate for the first half of 2021 increased to 1.34 fatalities per 100 million VMT, up from the projected rate of 1.28 fatalities per 100 million VMT in the first half of 2020.

These alarming statistics follow preliminary estimates of increases in crash fatalities in 2020. While Americans drove less in 2020 due to the pandemic, NHTSA’s early estimates show an estimated 38,680 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes—the largest projected number of fatalities since 2007. This represents an increase of about 7.2% as compared to the 36,096 fatalities reported in 2019.

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With the holiday season in full swing, you are likely to experience some additional traffic challenges that demand your attention, patience and understanding. First, there is a chance more people who have been drinking are now sharing the roadways with you.

Second, there will be more drivers rushing in and out of malls and shopping centers buying last-minute gifts and not paying attention to their driving. Third, will be those driving “over the river and through the woods,” to visit friends and relatives.

On top of that, much of this extra traffic could be people who are fatigued and/or distracted. We are also approaching the shortest days of the year measured in actual sunlight. Not to mention the weather, in most parts of the country, will likely present its own set of challenges. With all those factors, it’s easy to see why holiday driving is often a headache.

What’s the best way to handle these challenges?

If you want more driving safety tips, check out our safety content library here.