19006066_SHere’s a scary statistic about wintertime driving: Nearly one-quarter of all weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy or icy pavement, killing more than 1,300 people and injuring nearly 117,00 each year, according to the Federal Highway Administration.  Here are some tips to keep you safe behind the wheel when the weather turns frightful. Prepare your vehicle. It’s always a good idea to give your car a seasonal checkup.  What should be checked? Get a car care checklist at this link. Don’t forget to make sure you’re driving on the right type of tires and that they have enough tread.  Replace any tire that has less than 3/32 inches of tread. Too little tread can substantially affect your ability to stop and maneuver in poor weather conditions. Don’t tailgate. It takes longer to stop a car in icy conditions. The normal following distance of three to four seconds when driving on dry pavement should be increased to eight to 10 seconds when driving on icy, slippery surfaces. Don’t use cruise control. When you’re driving on icy roads, cruise control increases the amount of time it takes to respond to a problem. Likewise, it won’t allow you to respond instantly by simply lifting your foot off the accelerator. Do you know how to stay in control in the event of a skid? Do you know when to brake and when to steer away from a collision? Find some more valuable wintertime safety driving tips here.