Must-Have Vehicle Technologies for Safe Winter Weather Travel

Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for travelers. Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, according to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Fortunately, modern cars, trucks and crossovers offer a variety of features that make them both safer and more accommodating when the temperature plunges.

 Advanced safety features

Modern vehicles come with a variety of automated safety features that can make a huge difference in winter driving. Some, such as anti-lock brakes and stability control, are now required by government regulations. Others, such as adaptive headlights, forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking and lane departure prevention, may be standard on some models and optional on others, sometimes as part of a technology package. All these features can help improve control or visibility on winter roads.

All-wheel drive

Various types of all-wheel-drive systems are now available, including those that drive either the front or rear wheels all the time and engage the other set automatically as needed as well as ones that power the rear wheels under normal conditions and engage the front set when a lever or switch is thrown. You can find all-wheel drive on all types of vehicles, ranging from compact sedans to SUVs to full-size pickups.

 Selec-Terrain

Selec-Terrain is a feature found on several 4-wheel-drive vehicles that help drivers select specific modes that adapt the vehicle to a particular terrain, including snow, mud, and rock. The snow mode helps you navigate winter roads more smoothly.

Surround view cameras

The surround view camera increases your visibility by giving you a full view of what’s going on around your vehicle. This can help you see things like snow drifts and hazards when visibility is low.

Heated seats and steering wheel

Electrically heated seats may seem like a luxury feature, but they can now be found on the option lists of even modestly priced compact cars. Being comfortable while driving is essential for safe and alert vehicle operation, so a heated steering wheel or heated seats could even be considered a safety feature.

Heated side mirrors

Electrical heating elements keep outside mirrors free from fog and ice, working much like a defroster does to keep the rear window clear. This feature is now available on most modern cars, except for a handful of economy models.

Remote start

Remote start systems allow you to fire up the engine from the comfort of your home. Most systems are activated by a button on the key fob, while others can be engaged with a cellphone app. Remote start systems are available for almost all vehicles, either from the manufacturer or as an aftermarket add-on.