Winter in the Hudson Valley, Syracuse and Albany can bring beautiful scenery, but it can also create dangerous driving conditions. Snow, freezing rain, sleet and black ice can quickly turn familiar roads into hazardous ones, particularly during the morning and evening commute.
From heavily traveled highways like I84 and I87 to winding local roads such as the Taconic and Storm King Parkway throughout Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, Rockland and Westchester counties, New York drivers should be prepared for rapidly changing conditions throughout the winter.
Research reinforces the importance of taking winter weather seriously. A peer reviewed study published in Accident Analysis & Prevention examined nearly 200 winter storms and found that injury collisions increased by 66 percent during winter storms compared with dry weather conditions.
Before the snow begins to fall, here are some important steps New Yorkers can take to help keep themselves and others safe.
Why Winter Roads Can Be So Dangerous
Snow and ice can significantly affect how a vehicle handles. According to the Federal Highway Administration, snow and ice reduce pavement friction and vehicle maneuverability. Average speeds on snowy or slushy arterial roads decrease by approximately 30 to 40 percent, demonstrating just how dramatically winter conditions can affect normal travel.
National data also show the scope of the risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2024, an estimated 131,698 police reported crashes occurred while snow or sleet conditions were present. Of those, an estimated 24,383 were injury crashes and 365 were fatal crashes.
In the Hudson Valley, drivers may encounter additional challenges because conditions can vary considerably from one road to another. A road that appears simply wet may have frozen areas, and shaded sections, bridges and other exposed surfaces can become slippery even when surrounding pavement appears clear.
Black Ice Can Be Difficult to Spot
One of the most concerning winter hazards is black ice. Unlike packed snow, ice can blend into the pavement and may not be immediately obvious to a driver.
The safest approach is to adjust your driving before you encounter a slippery area. Reduce your speed, leave significantly more room between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead, avoid abrupt steering movements and begin braking earlier than you normally would.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration emphasizes two of the simplest precautions for winter driving: slow down and increase following distance. Slick and snow covered roads make controlling or stopping a vehicle more difficult, so drivers need additional time and space to react.
Prepare Your Vehicle Before Winter Weather Arrives
Safe winter driving begins before you leave your driveway.
The New York State Department of Transportation recommends having your vehicle’s battery, brakes, exhaust system, lights, windshield wipers and tire tread checked before winter travel. Drivers should also keep their windshield washer reservoir filled with nonfreezing fluid and check the vehicle’s antifreeze.
Tires deserve particular attention. Cold temperatures cause tire pressure to drop. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends maintaining the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure and checking tires for uneven wear or insufficient tread. The agency states that tire tread should be at least 2/32 of an inch.
Drivers should consult the pressure listed in their owner’s manual or on the driver’s side door frame rather than the maximum pressure printed on the tire itself.
Clear Snow and Ice From Your Vehicle
Visibility matters for everyone sharing the road.
Before driving, remove snow and ice from your windows, windshield, mirrors, roof and lights. New York State Department of Transportation specifically advises motorists to clear all windows, windshield wipers and the vehicle’s roof before starting to drive. Headlights and taillights should also be cleared so other motorists can see your vehicle.
Taking a few extra minutes to completely clear the vehicle can improve your own visibility while helping prevent snow and ice from creating a hazard for other people on the road.
Give Snowplows Plenty of Space
Snowplows play a critical role in keeping New York roads passable, but motorists need to give their operators room to work.
A loaded New York snowplow can weigh more than 10 tons and has significant blind spots. Plows can also produce clouds of snow that temporarily reduce visibility and may create ridges of snow between lanes. Because of these hazards, New York State Department of Transportation advises drivers not to pass snowplows and recommends remaining as much as eight car lengths behind a plow.
Patience is especially important during active snowfall. Even after a plow has cleared a road, drivers should not assume the pavement has regained normal traction.
Pay Particular Attention During Your Morning Commute
Winter weather can become especially challenging when it overlaps with rush hour.
A peer reviewed study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health examined winter weather related crashes and commuting. Researchers found that winter weather was more likely to contribute to crashes during typical commuting hours. In the study, winter weather was most frequently a contributing circumstance between 8:00 and 8:29 a.m. compared with the late morning reference period.
For Hudson Valley commuters, this is an important reminder not to rush because snow or freezing conditions have delayed the morning routine. Leaving earlier, adjusting your route or waiting for road conditions to improve may be safer than trying to make up lost time behind the wheel.
Check Road Conditions Before You Leave
Road conditions can change quickly during a winter storm.
Before traveling, check the weather forecast as well as current road conditions. New York State Department of Transportation’s 511NY service provides real time information that includes road conditions, construction, crashes and more than 1,000 traffic cameras. Its winter travel information can also indicate whether state roads are reported as snow covered, wet, dry or closed.
If conditions are particularly poor and the trip is not necessary, consider postponing travel until roads improve.
Keep a Winter Emergency Kit in Your Vehicle
Even responsible drivers can become stranded because of severe weather, road closures or mechanical problems.
New York State Department of Transportation recommends carrying winter emergency supplies such as:
- A flashlight and extra batteries
- A cell phone
- Jumper cables
- A shovel
- A snow brush and ice scraper
- Sand or another material that can provide traction
- Blankets and warm clothing
- Warning devices such as flares or reflectors
- Nonperishable food
-
Extra medication
If you become stranded during severe winter weather, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises staying with your vehicle, making the vehicle visible and keeping snow away from the exhaust pipe to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Winter Safety Starts Before You Get Behind the Wheel
Snowfall is a normal part of winter in Greater New York, but dangerous road conditions should never be treated as routine.
Research shows that winter storms can substantially increase collision risk, while federal and New York transportation authorities consistently emphasize preparation, reduced speeds, increased following distances and attention to changing road conditions.
Before the next Hudson Valley storm arrives, prepare your vehicle, monitor road conditions and give yourself additional time to reach your destination. A few extra minutes of preparation can make a meaningful difference when snow, sleet or ice makes driving conditions unpredictable.