FACTS
- In winter, the temperature drops, and this can stiffen the rubber and affect tire pressure in winter tires.
- Icy road fatalities account for more deaths than all other weather hazards combined.
- Non-fatal injuries and property damage incidents increase significantly when it snows, but fatal crashes decline.
- Almost half a million car accidents each year are due to winter storms, wet road conditions, and general bad weather.
- Heavy rain, thick fog, or consistent snow can reduce driver visibility almost instantaneously.
- The safest way to get through a winter storm or severe weather event is to stay home.
- Car accidents that occur during bad weather conditions kill more Americans than weather disasters.
STATS
- About 17% of car accidents occur in snowy conditions (FHWA).
- 2000 people die and over 135,000 people are injured each year due to car accidents on icy and snowy road.
- Each year, an average of 1,836 deaths and 136,309 injuries are attributed to conditions on icy and snowy roads.
- Icy road fatalities account for more deaths than all other weather hazards combined (3.6 times more).
- Every year, nearly 900 people are killed and nearly 76,000 people are injured in vehicle crashes during snowfall or sleet.
- Around 70% of the population in the United States lives in places that have snowy and icy conditions during the winter. (FHWA)
- Compared to winter months, summer months have 29% more deaths in car crashes
- The use of salt on four-lane highways decreases accidents by 93%
- Traffic accidents on snowy, slushy, or icy roads account for 24% of weather-related traffic accidents.