How to Drive Safely in the Alaska Winter
If you live in an area that gets significant snowfall during the winter season, then you know just how tricky driving in the snow can be. When the roads are blanketed in powder or ice, navigating the roads can be a challenge.
Given that Anchorage can see snowy or icy conditions for as much as six months at a time, knowing how to drive in snow is a must. While we can help you if you get stuck, we would rather you make it home safely without inconvenience or delay. Stay tuned to learn all about how to navigate winter roads in Alaska.
Alaskan Winter Driving Tips
Ready to brace for the weather and tackle Alaska’s snow-covered roadways? Here are our top winter driving tips to help you stay safe this season.
Drive Slowly and Smoothly
Winter driving is all about slowing down, driving smoothly, and maintaining distance between your car and the one in front of you. When there is ice or snow on the road, your traction will be worse than normal, and you should expect your tires to slide and spin. To remain in control of your vehicle, make sure that every acceleration, turn of the wheel, and push of the brakes is slow and deliberate.
Yield For Snow Plows
Motorists aren’t the only ones you’ll find on Alaskan roadways over the course of the snowy season. You should anticipate snow removers and plows being out and about, and it’s important to give them room.
If you find yourself behind a snow plow, make sure to distance yourself at least 200 feet, and note that whiteouts can occur if you follow too close. Additionally, avoid passing snow plows if you can, as their visibility tends to be limited. Moral of the story? Don’t crowd the plow!
Look Out For Black Ice
While black ice looks like wet pavement, it’s actually parts of the roadway that are covered by a thin sheet of ice. Black ice occurs when the sun thaws the snow and ice during the day. Then, as temperatures drop again during the afternoon or evening, the melted snow is refrozen into a smooth layer of ice. Black ice is hard to see, so make sure you’re driving slowly and carefully if it has snowed recently where you are.
Avoid Cruise Control
When driving in the snow, always avoid using your car’s cruise control setting. On low-traction surfaces like ice or snow, employing cruise control can result in your car skidding or spinning off the road.
Stay Vigilant
When it comes to winter driving, vigilance is key. Avoid any distractions that may take your focus off the road and keep your eyes peeled for anything that could impede your driving. As a general rule of thumb, you should always check the recent weather and road conditions before embarking on a winter drive in Alaska.
Car Winter Safety Checklist
If you’re going to be driving in the snow this season, you must come prepared. Follow this car winter safety checklist before hitting the road.
Fill your gas tank: You should always fill your tank before a snowstorm. If you’re going on a long drive where gas stations are few and far between, the last thing you want is to get stranded. Furthermore, a near-empty gas tank is more likely to freeze over in your driveway during a snowstorm.
Invest in sand or kitty litter: If you’re driving through heavy snow, you should anticipate getting stuck at some point. Keeping a bag of sand or kitty litter in your trunk will help your wheels gain traction if you find yourself spinning out.
Check windshield wipers and fluid: Make sure your windshield wipers are functioning as they should. (If they aren’t, replace them ASAP.) Additionally, top off your windshield wiper fluid with a non-freezing liquid. It also wouldn’t hurt to keep some extra fluid in the trunk of your car.
Check tire pressure and tread: You should be checking your tires monthly to ensure they are a) properly inflated and b) have the right amount of tread. If there is diminished tread on your tires, you’ll have trouble slowing down and/or stopping during the storm.
Carry an emergency supplies kit: When driving through a snowstorm, always plan for the unexpected. Pack an emergency supplies kit complete with non-perishable food, bottled water, blankets, flashlights, cell phone (and battery), first aid kit, jumper cables, boots, gloves, and medication.
Top Anchorage, AK Towing Services
Even those who know how to drive in the snow can find themselves in a pickle during a snowstorm. When that happens, Vulcan Towing & Recovery will be here to help. As Alaska’s premier towing and roadside assistance service, we service Anchorage, Wasilla, Palmer, Eagle River, and Girdwood 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Want to learn more about our services? Give us a call today!