To date in 2024, 447 people have died in car crashes on Minnesota roadways.

This is significantly ahead of last year’s to-date number of 384 fatalities. While speed, unbuckled motorists, drunk-driving and distraction are major factors in traffic deaths, so are snowy, icy road conditions.

Here are a few things you can do to help keep yourself, and others, safe while driving around this winter, courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety:

• Avoid unnecessary travel if conditions are too poor.
• Buckle up and make sure child restraints are secured tightly. It is recommended to use bulky clothes and blankets on top of the child restraint harness, not beneath, to ensure harness restraints fit properly.
• Drive at safe speeds according to road conditions, and allow for plenty of travel time.
• Leave plenty of space to stop between vehicles.
• Use extra precautions when driving around snowplows by keeping at least 10 car lengths behind plows.
• If skidding, remain calm, ease your foot off the gas and turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go.
• If your vehicle has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply steady, firm pressure to the brake pedal. Never pump ABS brakes.
• Clear snow and ice from vehicle windows, hood, headlights, brake lights and directional signals.
• Headlights and taillights must be turned on when it is snowing or sleeting. Do not rely on the “auto” setting to turn your lights on.
• Do not use cruise control on snow/icy/wet roads.
• Equip vehicles with a scraper/brush, small shovel, jumper cables, tow chain and a bag of sand or cat litter for tire traction. Blankets, heavy boots, warm clothing and flashlights are also important, as are storing high-energy foods such as chocolate or energy bars.
• Be sure cell phones are charged for long trips, and inform family of destination plans and schedules.
• If stranded, stay in the vehicle.
• Parents of teen drivers should make sure new motorists experience snow and ice driving in a safe environment, such as an empty parking lot.
• For weather-related road condition information, call 5-1-1 or visit 511mn.org.