4 American States with the Worst Winter Driving Conditions

Driving on a regular sunny day already has its risks. But when the snow starts to fall, it’s a whole different ballgame on the road due to bad winter driving conditions. This is why it’s no surprise that more than 1,000 people die from vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy, or icy roads each year, not to mention those who get injured and properties that get damaged due to these crashes.

Some states actually have it worse than others when it comes to driving in the winter and here are four of the worst states to be on the road during this time of the year:

1. Wisconsin

The state of Wisconsin is ranked 7^th among the states with the most dangerous roads during winter with over 65 winter driving casualties in the last 3 years. Although the roads here are generally safe to drive in during the rest of the year, the heavy snowfall and rain during winter cause the roads to be slippery and unsafe even for the most experienced drivers. 

This is why experts always advise that you follow these Wisconsin winter driving tips to avoid being a victim of these crashes.

2. Michigan

Michigan is the worst state to be in during winter because of its bad winter driving conditions. In fact, it recorded more than 282 fatalities from 2013 to 2017. 

The state is already known for its very harsh winters, especially when the temperatures drop 100 below freezing. During this time, the state records on average of 37 fatalities, which makes it the second worst state to drive in on days when these temperatures drop.

3. Illinois

Illinois is ranked as the 5^th deadliest state in the United States for winter driving with an average of 27 fatalities per year over the last 4 years. One obvious reason is that winter driving conditions can get pretty bad in the state because of heavy snowfall and rainfall, which can affect visibility and make roads very slippery. Chicago tops the cities with the most accidents since a lot of accidents in the state are recorded within the greater Chicago area. 

4. New York

Finally, New York is ranked the 3^rd worst city in the United States for winter driving recording more than 183 fatalities from 2013 to 2017. Aside from the busy roads, especially in the metropolitan areas of New York City, heavy rains and snow also increase the risk for accidents in the state with the borough of Queens in New York City having the most winter driving fatalities in the state. 

Whether you live in these states or not, it’s a must that you learn the different ways to keep yourself safe while driving during the winter. Since roads are not ideally in their best shape because of the rain and snowfall, you need to take extra precautions to avoid being involved in accidents that may have serious repercussions and could entail hiring a lawyer to help you file a claim.

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