Keeping weather in mind during winter months is paramount to staying safe on the roadways, according to the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

Because storms can develop without warning in this region, WYDOT says to keep your vehicle ready to meet those challenges at all times.

Precautions include keeping tires inflated to the appropriate pressure and brakes in top working order. Replace windshield wipers as they age, and make sure your windshield wiper fluid has an anti-freeze additive.

Besides these necessities for safe winter travel, keep the fuel tank as close to full as possible and check the other engine fluids frequently. Additionally, it is recommended to check headlights, tail lights and turn signals often for proper function.

Before each trip, whether across town or across the state, clear lights of ice and snow. If blowing snow occurs while driving, use low beams.

When you exit the car, make sure to clean your shoes of snow and ice when you re-enter, because build-up on soles can interfere with driving by creating slippery brake and accelerator pedals.

As with any driving, always wear a seat belt and have children buckled into a size-, age- and weight-appropriate child safety seat.

In winter it is highly recommended that drivers adjust their speed to compensate for conditions and allow more room for braking, slowing and stopping on roads that may be wet or icy. Ice is more likely on hills, bridges, deep swales, near snow fences or at the end of guardrails and overpasses and they may freeze at higher temperatures. Black ice is difficult or impossible to see and there may be no transition from wet roads to very icy conditions. Even warming temperatures are not without hazard as they may create wet areas over ice, which is more dangerous yet. 

When there is ice or snowpack on the road, slow down. Drive slowly and maintain control of the vehicle.

To take off in these conditions, point the wheels straight ahead and accelerate smoothly and slowly. First gear (in a standard) or low (in an automatic) may produce too much power and spin wheels. Try second gear or drive for safer starts.

Stopping take longer and further to accomplish. Increase space between cars by at least four seconds. Locked wheels and skids happen when drivers slam on the brakes. Instead, pump the brakes. If the vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes, it will pump the brakes automatically, and the driver will instead apply steady pressure to achieve a quick, safe stop.

Slowing down on a slippery road reduces the likelihood of skids. In the event of a skid, steer gently into the skid and take your foot off the accelerator until control is regained.

Even more hazardous and frightening can be an icy roadway with a ground blizzard topping. In this instance, again slow down, but keep going. All steering or braking should be gradual.

Patience is the one thing that can be applied to all driving situations, and that goes double in winter weather. If a vehicle in front of or near you spins out of control on an icy hill, wait for a snowplow to clear the road, which will get you through quicker.

Stopping to help someone who has been in a skid or crash caused by icy roads requires special attention, too. Park well away from the area, as always, but pay special attention to approaching traffic and be prepared to get out of the way should another driver lose control in the same icy place as the original crash.

WYDOT, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, police and sheriff’s offices can close roads whenever they consider it necessary. Check road conditions by calling 511 before you leave and consider installing the 511 app to your cellphone to stay current on road conditions and closures.