The first snowfall of every year there seems to be the cause of a million accidents. Drivers slide into the ditch and depend too much on their traction control instead of slowing down a little bit. If drivers do end up sliding into the ditch they will want a survival kit, depending on how long it takes for the tow truck to get there. 

According to O’Reilly’s employee Will Fust, there are some essentials to keep in the vehicle just in case of a winter weather mishap.

1. Make sure to keep warm and keep the exhaust pipe clear, because drivers can get carbon monoxide poisoning inside the car if the pipe is covered.
2. Always have a first aid kit, just in case. 
3. Slow down, and take more time to stop Don’t slam on the brakes. Don’t drive like it’s summertime because there might be ice. If the driver is losing traction, let off the gas and it usually straightens itself out. 
4. Put the phone down and pay attention to the road.
5. Take a little more time to go where you’re going. 
6. Make sure the tires aren’t bald. 
7. Put sandbags or something heavy in the trunk if the vehicle is rear wheel drive: it will help the driver from fishtailing when trying to take off. 
8. Keep a shovel in your vehicle in case the driver goes in the ditch. 
9. The biggest thing is being all-around careful when driving. 

When Will was a kid, his dad told him this story: “I used to drive a -wheel drive ’76 Chevy Suburban in the winter time, and whenever I found 4-wheel drive vehicles in the ditch, I would pull them out.” Will said, “dad they have a 4-wheel drive vehicle though,” to which he replied, “it’s how you drive, son.”