5 Montana Winter Driving Tips

I pressed hard on the brake as I coasted toward the stop-sign.  I wasn’t going fast, but suddenly my brakes locked and a force I couldn’t control pushed me off the road and into the ditch.  It was a force I had not experienced in my 5 months of driving as a fifteen-year-old.  It was ice; the first storm of the year in Billings, Montana.  Snow had fallen, melted and refroze on the road. 

Just like that fateful day several years ago winter had descended on us quickly and so have winter weather driving conditions.  Here are a few tips about driving your car in the snow:

1.       Easy does it.  As I learned by sliding into the ditch so that day, everything takes longer on snowy and icy roads; turning, accelerating and stopping (in my case).   So don’t be in a big hurry, especially at the beginning of the season, when you’re still getting used to how your vehicle handles on snow and ice.

2.       Know before you go. The Montana Department of Transportation Road Condition Map is a great way to stay up-to-date on road conditions.  I’ve traveled through several other states during winter and find their road condition maps to be sub-par compared to ours, both in accuracy and in timely updates.  Here is the link: http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/map/mtmap_frame.html .  You can also call 5-1-1, but it usually takes a while for your area to come up on the automated system.

3.       Be prepared for emergencies.  If you slide off the road in a place where you won’t be found for a while and it is too cold/risky to walk for help how would you prepare?  The reality is there are thousands and thousands of highway miles in Montana where it might take a while to find you.  If you’re going to drive them, I’d bring lots of warm clothes, non-perishable food to eat, an alternative way to warm yourself (besides the vehicle) and maybe a book to read.

4.       Watch for snow plows.  They go slow, so slow down when you see one and keep a good distance from them unless you want to get splattered with sand.  Passing them can be tricky, so make sure you have plenty of time if you are going to.   We have a great snow removal infrastructure in Montana, make sure you respect those drivers that keep our roads drivable.

5.       Don’t be a cheapskate with your car.  Get it ready for winter.  Snow-tires can help substantially with traction (more than 4-wheel drive in many cases).  Anti-freeze is a good idea.  Also, keep your gas tank half full to avoid the freezing of your gas-line (this is not the time of year to see how many miles you can get on a tank).

Common sense is a big deal when driving in Montana during the winter.  The exercise of common sense might keep you out of the ditch and ignoring it might put you in it, or worse.  So if you feel like being a little risky, a little daring, do us all a favor: don’t go out on the roads.   Bet on corn futures or social security and not your life.