Helpful Tips for Drivers Visiting North Dakota This Winter

North Dakota starts to get cold in November, and the cold and snow can last until early spring. Winter weather brings blizzards, freezing temperatures, and heavy winds. The Arctic chills can cause trees to fall, electric power to fail, frostbite, and other serious conditions that make driving your car particularly dangerous. Car accidents in North Dakota are quite common.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) has numerous tips for preparing your car before you leave home, driving in the winter, and what to do if your car or truck becomes inoperable.

A few general suggestions are:

• Let other people know when and where you’re traveling, including your expected time of departure and
• Carry a cell phone that has a full charge.

Caring for your car in winter

AAA suggests the following winter car care tips that you should discuss with your mechanic before the bad weather hits:

• Inspect your muffler, tailpipe, and exhaust for defects and cracks to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide exposure.
• Keep the gas tank at least half full (completely full is better) so fuel lines don’t freeze, you can take alternate longer routes, and your heater will operate.
• Keep “a bottle of lock de-icer” available.
• Make sure your heater works.
• Check your tires for proper inflation and tread levels.
• Make sure your windshield wipers work and can handle heavier precipitation and have enough windshield washer fluid with an antifreeze solvent.
• Keep your car clear from ice and snow so other drivers can see your lights, including your hazard lights.
• Keep the air filter clean.
• Check the hoses and belts.
• Test the car battery to ensure it can endure the winter.
• Have the proper level of oil and change as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Make sure your brakes work.
• Flush and replace the radiator antifreeze.

Winter Survival Kit

You can also improve your safety by making sure that your car has the following equipment:

• Jumper cables
• A flashlight with extra batteries
• A small shovel
• Some cat litter, sand, and carpet strips for traction
• Flares or reflective triangles
• A whistle
• A working and fully-charged cell phone
• Boots
• A “coffee can furnace (the candle generates heat) and matches”
• An Ice scraper and brush
• Newspapers for insulation
• A first-aid kit
• Food and drink
• Blankets
• Tire chains – to be used on secondary roads only

If you become stranded

If your car is inoperable:

• Stay with your vehicle
• Run the engine sparingly, but keep the windows open slightly when you do run the engine to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
• Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow
• Know that if it’s extremely cold, that if you shut off your engine, the engine may not restart
• Do NOT go to sleep with the engine running
• Have something to read
• Position your car so it faces into the wind.
• Tie a colorful item to the car antenna.
• If you need to leave the car, tie a rope to the car and yourself to find your way back
• Put on warm clothing – Before you get cold
• Check your supplies
• Eat something with high calories before you go to sleep – to stimulate your metabolism (heat production)

Best Practice for Driving in Winter

North Dakota’s “Vision Zero” recommends:

• Do not use cruise control on roads that are icy or wet
• Get the feel of the roadway. Slow down. Test your brakes while driving slowly to be sure you have enough traction. Leave more room between you and other vehicles. “Studded snow tires may be used from October 15 to April 15.”
• Know that passing trucks may create snow fog, which reduces visibility.
• Look for curves.
• Know that bridges freeze earlier and stay frozen longer than the rest of the road.
• Be aware if your car has anti-lock brakes.
  • If your vehicle does not have antilock brakes, pump your brakes “when driving vehicles equipped with drum-type brakes on all four wheels.” If your vehicle has disc brakes, you’ll need to use a “slow, intermittent braking action.”
  • If your vehicle does have antilock brakes, don’t remove your foot from the brake. “Do not pump the pedal or remove your foot from the brake.”

Suggestions for how to respond to snow removal equipment

North Dakota recommends that drivers understand how to conduct themselves when there is snow removal equipment around, including:

• Staying far away from snow plows, which may need to back up and may throw sanding material.
• Knowing which lanes the plows are in, including the shoulder of the road.
• Being very cautious when passing a snowplow.
• Being patient to ensure the driver of the snowplow can see you.
• “Never drive through “whiteouts” caused by crosswinds or plowing light snow.”
• Watching for plow trucks on Interstate ramps.
• Not assuming that the sand will provide good traction because the sand can sink into the snow.

What happens if a car skids?

Vision Zero suggests that you know what to do if your car skids in cold weather.

Stay off the brakes in cars with rear-wheel drive and gradually ease off the accelerator. “Turn your wheels in the direction the rear end of your vehicle is skidding.” Drivers of vehicles with front-wheel drive should understand that when their vehicles begin to skid at moderate speeds, “you should accelerate slightly and steer in the direction you want to go.”

Vision Zero provides additional suggestions depending on your room, speed, weather conditions, and other factors. Drivers should be especially careful just after it rains because the combination of water, road dirt, and oil can cause hydroplaning, which occurs when your vehicle’s tires ride on the water instead of on the road.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in the winter, Larson Law Injury & Accident Lawyers is ready to help. We have a strong record of success fighting for drivers and passengers who suffer injuries in any car accident, including cold weather conditions. Call our Minot car accident attorneys now or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation in Fargo, Minot, or Bismarck.