Stay Safe on Wisconsin Winter Roads
Your Easy-Read Guide from the Menomonee Falls Police Department (plus a few extra tips!)
Winter in Wisconsin is beautiful—until you’re sliding toward a ditch. The good news? A few simple habits can keep you and everyone else safe. Here’s what the Menomonee Falls Police Department wants every driver to know, plus a handful of pro tips that go the extra mile.
1. Prep Your Car Like It’s Going on a Polar Expedition
- Fuel up. Keep the gas tank at least half full. It stops fuel lines from freezing and gives you a lifeline if you’re stuck for hours.
- Charge it. Electric vehicle? Plug in overnight so the battery is topped off.
- Battery, lights, coolant, antifreeze—check them all. A weak battery dies fastest when it’s 10 below.
- Wipers & washer fluid. Swap worn blades and fill the tank with winter-grade fluid (the blue stuff rated to –20 °F).
- Emergency kit. Toss in a blanket, flashlight, phone charger, small shovel, kitty litter or sand, snacks, and water. Bonus points: hand warmers and a bright scarf to tie on your antenna so rescuers spot you.
2. Clear EVERY Window—Yes, All of Them
You’ve seen the “periscope driver” with a 4-inch hole scraped in the windshield. Don’t be that person. Ice on your roof can fly off and blind the car behind you. Take the extra 90 seconds to:
- Scrape the whole windshield, side windows, mirrors, and headlights.
- Brush snow off the hood, roof, and trunk.
- Turn on defrosters and wipers only AFTER the glass is clear.
3. Slow Down, Double Your Space
On snow or slush:
- Drop your speed (even if the limit says 65).
- Leave 8–10 seconds of following distance instead of the usual 3.
- Brake gently and early—slam on the brakes and you’ll meet the ditch.
4. Know the “Invisible Enemy” Tricks
- Bridges and overpasses freeze first.
- Shaded curves stay icy all day.
- Snow clouds swirling behind trucks = sudden whiteout. Hang back.
5. Crash?
Wisconsin law is simple:
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt, lanes are blocked, or a traffic signal is damaged.
- $1,000+ damage to any one vehicle OR $200+ to a mailbox, guardrail, or other property = file a report.
- No injuries, minimal damage (below $1,000 to any vehicle or below $200 to other types of property), and everyone can move? Pull over, swap info, and report online at wisconsindot.gov at a later time.
Extra Credit: 5 Pro Moves Real Wisconsinites Swear By
- Fog fighter. Crack the driver’s window an inch while the defroster runs; fresh air stops inside fog.
- Traction in a bag. Keep a 25-lb tube of kitty litter in the trunk. Stuck? Sprinkle it under the drive wheels.
- Headlight glow. Rub a tiny dab of car wax on headlights once a month—snow and salt slide right off.
- Phone lifeline. Save “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) contacts and download the free “511 Wisconsin” app for live road conditions.
One Last Thing
If the snow is flying and the plows are out, give them room. Stay back 10 car lengths—they’re the only reason you have a clear lane.
You’ve got this! ❄️🚗