"Regardless of when you drive, there are three things which affect your chances of having a collision - you, your vehicle, and the roadway. Winter weather changes each of these three factors, usually in ways that reduce safety," said Robert H. McCool, manager of the Community Injury Prevention Program in the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, part of the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center.

Although you can’t control the condition of the roadway, you can plan the best route possible, and you can control your behavior and properly prepare your vehicle for winter, he said.

He offered these tips for increasing your chances of arriving safely during winter travel.

• Avoid sudden maneuvers such as quick acceleration, hard braking and fast turns.

• Drive slowly.

• Increase your following distance.

• Winterize your vehicle. Have a properly trained mechanic check the vehicle’s cooling system and antifreeze, heater, battery and charging system, brakes, lights, windshield wipers and fluids. A general tune-up also is a good idea.

• Clean off your windshield and your side and rear windows before you get onto the roadway.

• Make sure your lights work properly and are not covered with snow or ice.

• Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle. These supplies should include jumper cables, a tow rope, a shovel, tire chains, a flashlight with spare batteries, a knife, a first aid kit, matches, water, blankets and clothing suitable for severe winter weather. You also should take along any medications you might need if you were stranded in the vehicle.

If you plan to travel in areas which have extreme winter weather, you also should take food, extra water and additional heavy clothing. If you do become stranded in a vehicle, don’t panic, McCool said. If you have a cellular phone, use it to call for help.