When was the last time you took a drive on a snowy or icy road? You probably wouldn't venture out for a drive in the snow just for the fun of it. Snow and ice, while beautiful, can be incredibly dangerous and cause headaches for motorists. The reality is that it's not always possible for everyone to stay off the roads when winter weather strikes. Many professionals still have to have a way to get to work, even when many other businesses or schools are closed. There are, of course, lots of wonderful tips to help keep you safe if you do find yourself having to drive on snow-covered roads.

Start with good safety habits before you even leave the house.

Safety starts at home, before you even step foot inside your vehicle. Never warm up your vehicle inside an enclosed area, such as a garage. It's recommended that you not warm your car and leave it running while you go back inside the house. Back the vehicle out of the garage, and then let it warm up outside of the garage. If your vehicle is running, you should be in it. Slowly increas the heat in the car to warm the interior. If need be, scrape off snow or ice of the vehicle as it warms.

Check your tires before you leave home.

This is such an important tip. Check the tread on your tires first. If your tires are bald, or nearly there, you really have no business driving in snowy conditions. You'll have no traction, and will likely slide all over the road. Call someone to pick you up and give you a safe ride, if you can.

Check the tire pressure, as well, and make sure all tired are properly inflated.

Make sure you have a full gas tank.

You never know what might happen when you venture out to drive in snow or ice. Make sure you have plenty of gas. You should plan for delayed traffic. Depending on how far you have to go, you'll want to at least have half a tank of gas, if not a full tank.

Bring a blanket.

Keep a blanket in the car with you, just in case you wind up needing it if you get stranded. Also make sure you have a fully charged cell phone, some bottled water, and a non-perishable snack. A glass breaker is also a great tool to keep in your glove box in case you wind up needing to break a window to get out of your vehicle in the event of an emergency.

Avoid using your parking brake in snowy conditions, and do not use the cruise control setting while driving in wintry weather.

Pay attention to where you're going, and watch other drivers. Use all of your mirrors to help you keep an eye on other vehicles on the road. Don't forget to look and steer where you want to go while driving.

Always wear your seatbelt when you're inside a vehicle- driving, or just riding as a passenger. It could very well save your life.

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