Winter Driving Safety Guide for Chicago & Illinois

• Check your tires — adequate tread and correct pressure are your single biggest traction advantage on snow and ice.
• Test your battery; cold weather dramatically reduces battery capacity.
• Keep your washer fluid full with a winter-rated, no-freeze formula and replace worn wiper blades.
• Keep at least half a tank of gas to reduce condensation and in case you get stranded.
• Pack a winter kit: blanket, gloves, flashlight, phone charger, ice scraper, small shovel, and sand or cat litter for traction.

• Slow down — posted limits assume dry pavement. Most winter crashes come from driving too fast for conditions.
• Increase following distance to at least 8–10 seconds; stopping on ice takes far longer.
• Accelerate and brake gently to avoid losing traction. In a skid, ease off the gas and steer where you want to go.
• Watch for black ice on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas, which freeze first.
• Use headlights in snow and never use cruise control on slippery roads.
• Give plows and salt trucks plenty of room and never pass on the right.

• Get your car out of traffic if possible, and turn on hazard lights.
• Stay in your vehicle if you're stranded on a highway in heavy snow — it's shelter and easier for help to find.
• Call 911 for any injury crash, and keep your exhaust pipe clear of snow if the engine is running.
• Document the scene with photos once it's safe, just as you would in any crash.

Bad weather does not automatically excuse a driver. Illinois drivers have a duty to drive reasonably for the conditions — meaning slowing down and leaving extra room when it snows. A driver who was speeding, tailgating, or distracted on an icy road can still be found at fault. Illinois' modified comparative negligence rule applies: you can recover as long as you were 50% or less at fault.

• Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) — winter driving and Getting Around Illinois guidance
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — winter driving tips
• Illinois State Police — cold-weather and stranded-motorist safety guidance

This guide summarizes publicly available safety guidance.