If you have ever felt your car slide through an icy intersection in Billings, you know how fast a normal drive can turn into a frightening moment. One second you are easing toward a red light, and the next you are pumping the brakes and hoping the car in front of you does not suddenly stop. Those close calls stay with you, especially when the roads stay frozen for days.
Drivers across Billings deal with months of packed snow, black ice, and sudden whiteouts every year. Many people worry about more than just getting to work on time. They worry about the driver behind them who will not slow down, or the truck that follows too closely on slick highway ramps. They also wonder what happens if a crash does occur. Will insurance just say it was “the weather” and leave them stuck with medical bills and vehicle repairs?
We have been representing injured Montanans in serious crash and insurance cases since 1980, and we have recovered more than $150 million for clients over the last decade. Our trial practice has secured two of the state’s four largest judgments. In this guide, we share what we have learned about winter driving safety in Billings.
How Ice & Snow Actually Cause Crashes
To understand winter driving safety in Billings, it helps to know what is happening between your tires and the road. On dry pavement, your tires have relatively high friction. When you brake, that friction turns your car’s motion into heat and brings you to a stop. Ice and compacted snow reduce that friction dramatically. The tires can no longer grip the surface in the same way, which makes it harder to slow down, speed up, or steer.
Stopping distance is where many drivers underestimate the risk. At typical city speeds, it can take much farther to stop on ice than it does on dry pavement. If you are following closely, that extra distance is the difference between stopping safely and sliding into the bumper ahead. When your tires start to slide, your car may keep moving straight ahead even when the wheels are turned, which is called understeer. Or the back of the vehicle may swing out, which is oversteer. Both situations are more likely if you brake hard, jerk the steering wheel, or travel too fast for conditions.
The Dangers of Black Ice
Black ice adds another layer of danger. This is a thin, nearly invisible layer of ice that forms when moisture on the road refreezes, often overnight or in shaded areas. On Billings roads, black ice can develop where melted snow runs across the pavement and then refreezes, and on bridges that cool quickly in cold air. Drivers often mistake black ice for a wet surface. They maintain normal speed, then suddenly lose traction when they brake or turn.
Winter Driving Safety Habits That Make a Real Difference
Check the Weather Before Leaving
Winter weather can change quickly, and knowing what conditions you may face helps you decide whether to delay travel, choose a safer route, or prepare for snow, ice, or reduced visibility.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Vehicle preparation plays a larger role in winter driving safety than many people realize.
Tips to prepare your vehicle include:
- Check your tires: Tires with adequate tread and proper inflation provide better traction on snow and slush.
- Ensure all lights are working: Headlights, taillights, and brake lights help other drivers see you through falling snow, fog, or mist.
- Clear snow and ice completely: Remove buildup from windows, mirrors, headlights, and the roof to improve visibility and prevent snow from blowing onto your windshield or other vehicles.
Avoid Using Cruise Control
Cruise control can cause your vehicle to accelerate or brake unexpectedly on slippery roads. Keeping full manual control allows you to react more quickly if your tires lose traction.
Steer Into the Direction of a Skid
How you use your controls matters too. Sudden movements turn minor slips into major spins. Gentle, steady pressure on the brake and smooth steering corrections help your tires maintain what grip they have. If you start to slide, keeping your eyes and steering pointed toward where you want the car to go, rather than toward the obstacle you fear hitting, can help your vehicle regain alignment.
Increase Following Distance
In winter, the usual three-second rule between you and the car ahead is often not enough. On slick roads, leaving significantly more space can give you room to brake gently instead of slamming on the brakes and skidding. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), you'll want to increase your following distance to eight to 10 seconds.
Don't Stop Going Up Hills
Maintaining steady momentum when climbing hills helps prevent your tires from losing traction. Stopping partway up can make it difficult to start moving again on slick surfaces.
Talk With a Montana Trial Team About a Winter Crash in Billings
Billings winters will always bring snow, ice, and some white-knuckle drives. What you can control is how you prepare, how you drive, and how you respond if another driver’s poor choices on slick roads leave you injured. Following these tips can help you stay safe on Billings' winter roads.
However, if you have been hurt in a winter-weather crash on a Billings road or highway, you do not have to accept an insurer’s quick answer that it was just the ice. Edwards & Culver has spent decades standing up to powerful insurance companies, and we can review what happened in your case, explain your options, and help you decide on the next steps.
Call (406) 215-4735 to talk with Edwards & Culver about a winter crash in Billings in a free consultation.