Winter Driving Tips – Staying Safe on Elkins Roadways

Winter in West Virginia brings stellar scenery and unique challenges for drivers, especially for those who have just relocated here or nearby in Randolph County. As your community partner, the City of Elkins wants to ensure you and your loved ones stay safe on the road. Here are some essential tips, backed by safety experts and local drivers, to navigate the season with confidence. Yes, it all starts with the proper tires; we’ll leave that between you and your mechanic or dealership. We offer these five tips as a starter.

First, adjust your speed and increase your following distance. A quick Google search will remind you that it can take from four to ten times longer to stop on ice and snow. Slowing down and allowing more space between you and the vehicle ahead provides the critical margin needed to stay safe when you need to brake suddenly.

Proper vehicle preparation is your first line of defense. Travel associations such as AAA recommend ensuring your battery, tires (with adequate tread and proper inflation), brakes, and windshield wipers are in optimal condition before winter arrives. Additionally, applying an undercoating spray can help protect your vehicle’s undercarriage from the corrosive effects of road salt that is used on our highways. Several local businesses in Elkins and Randolph County can take this for you at a reasonable cost; the process usually takes a couple of days. If an undercoating is not something for which you have time or budget, then make sure you wash your vehicle’s undercarriage regularly during the winter to prevent any salt build-up, preventing rust from ruining your car or truck.

Your safety kit is a vital resource if you are stranded. Keep a winter emergency kit in your trunk or the back of your vehicle. Essential items include a flashlight with extra batteries, a first-aid kit, drinking water, non-perishable snacks, a warm blanket, extra coats or gloves, and a bag of sand or cat litter for traction. Don’t forget a snow scraper and a fully charged battery pack. I always recommend tossing in a pair of sturdy boots with good tread, too—you never know when a quick trip could turn into an unexpected walk for help.

Visibility is safety. Always fully clear your vehicle of snow and ice before driving. This means all windows, mirrors, headlights, brake lights, and the roof. Driving a “peephole” car is dangerous (not to mention causing unnecessary neck strain!) and could land you a ticket: Snow blowing off your roof can blind drivers behind you. A whisk broom tucked under your front seat makes quick work of it.

Be strategic about when you travel. The safest option during a significant storm is often to stay put. If travel is necessary, try to limit driving to daylight hours when visibility is better and road crews have had time to treat routes. Before departing, check road conditions on your preferred weather and commuting apps (WV 511 is one suggestion), and always let someone know your route and expected arrival time.

By following these expert- and local-backed tips, we can all contribute to a safer winter driving season in Elkins. We’re a community that looks out for one another, and that starts with safe driving.

Additional information covering safe winter driving can also be found in this WVU Extension article.