Stay Safe on the Road With NHTSA's Winter Driving Tips

New York, Boston and well, basically all of the Northeast, are hunkering down as the first blizzard of 2015 pounds the area.

Related: Get Winter-Ready for the Road

With more than 6,000 flights canceled and Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island declaring states of emergencies, it's clear that this blizzard isn't being taken lightly.

While no one should be driving in this weather — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered nonessential vehicles, including cabs and food-delivery bicycles, off of city streets by 11 tonight — here are some tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration just in case you do have to head out in snowy conditions. But really, just stay home.

Take Precautions

• Check the weather. Don't hit the road if it's too treacherous to depart.


• If you absolutely need to go outside, plan to leave earlier or arrive later than usual.


• Keep your gas tank at least half-full. If you get stuck in a traffic jam, you might need more fuel just to stay warm.


• Pack a shovel, broom, ice scrapper, flashlight, jumper cables and warning markers or flares.


• Have an abrasive material, such as kitty litter or sand, ready to help with traction.


• Have a blanket, cellphone, some water, food and any necessary medicine (for longer trips through rural areas).

On the Road

• Always wear your seat belt (this really should go without saying).


• Wear winter outerwear, and make sure your passengers, especially children, are bundled up for the snowy conditions.


• Do not text or engage in distracting activities while driving.

Stranded in the Cold

• Stay in your car, and don't overexert yourself.


• Make yourself easy to find by keeping your interior light turned on and removing the cover from the dome light, if possible.


• Put bright markers or reflective material on your antenna or windows.


• Avoid carbon monoxide buildup by avoiding long stretches of idling with the windows up. If you have to keep the car running, make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow, and keep the engine running just long enough to stay warm.

Cars.com photo by Kelsey Mays

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