According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), over 70% of the nation's roads exist in regions that receive more than five inches of annual snowfall. About a quarter of weather-related vehicle crashes happen on snowy, slushy or icy pavement, with these wrecks killing more than 1,300 and injuring more than 116,800 people each year. Though it may seem obvious that ice and snow can contribute to risks on the road, the FHWA broke down the specifics of how winter conditions affect drivers: "Snow and ice reduce pavement friction and vehicle maneuverability, causing slower speeds, reduced roadway capacity, and increased crash risk. Average arterial speeds decline by 30 to 40 percent on snowy or slushy pavement. Freeway speeds are reduced by 3 to 13 percent in light snow and by 5 to 40 percent in heavy snow. Heavy snow and sleet can also reduce visibility. Lanes and roads are obstructed by snow accumulation, which reduces capacity and increases travel time delay." While the best course of action when it is snowing is to stay home, for those who must wander out into the cold, AAA recommends the following:

• Drive slowly, and adjust your speed to account for lower traction.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly.
• Increase your following distance to five to six seconds to allow yourself longer to stop if needed.
• Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before attempting to drive up a hill. Do not stop on the hill, but remember that applying too much gas as you climb can cause your tires to spin.

It doesn't take frosty precipitation to make driving in the winter more difficult, though. In the slideshow above, we'll look at more tips from AAA about how to prepare for and prevent some of the most common cold-weather driving risks.

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