Navigating the nation’s roads under ideal conditions can be demanding, but when driving in severe weather, it becomes imperative for commercial drivers to exercise heightened caution. Regrettably, some drivers fail to grasp the critical adjustments required in driving techniques to safely and effectively maneuver through adverse weather conditions.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, there are over 5,891,000 vehicle crashes each year on the nation’s roads. Approximately 21% of these crashes—nearly 1,235,000—are weather-related, resulting in nearly 5,000 deaths and over 418,000 injuries annually.

Weather—especially extreme weather—can greatly affect driver capabilities (such as visibility, stopping distance), vehicle performance (including traction and stability), pavement friction, roadway infrastructure, and traffic flow (such as speed, travel time), and, consequently, can have a notable impact on the risk of accidents.

This animated video presents the five fundamental steps every driver can take—regardless of weather conditions—to help ensure safe navigation and mitigate the likelihood of accidents.