Driving in the snow? Here’s what to do.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

With a snowstorm, less than a day away, slippery and slushy roads conditions could make driving difficult.

According to the National Weather Service, if you find yourself in a situation where you have to drive during a snowstorm there are specific safety steps to take which include checking your speed and being attentive while driving.

"You know if you have two to three inches of snow out there you cannot drive the same speed that you normally would, to work. You have to slow down and be more cautious," Corporal Kyle Green from the Missouri State Highway Patrol said. 

Before you head out into the cold weather, make sure you tell someone where you're going and what route you're taking. That way, if something happens this person will have an idea of where you might be stranded.

More than 5,000 deaths occur on the road each year because of bad weather conditions. Roads could still be slick even if they look clear. It's also important to make sure you remove all signs of ice or snow on your vehicle before hitting the road because snow debris could also lead to car crashes.

Pack a safety kit in the car with the following:

• Fully charged phone
• Car charger
• Emergency supply kit

Steps to follow if you start skidding while driving:

• Remain calm
• Ease your foot off the gas
• Turn your wheels in the direction you would like the front of your car to be
• People with an anti-lock breaking system should apply consistant pressure to the brake and avoid pumping the brakes

It's never a bad idea to idea to pull over to the side of the road if the snow is blinding your vision. It's actually one of the safest things you can do to prevent a car wreck. After pulling over turn off your car lights and use your parking brake light. This way if someone is driving on the same route they won't follow your tail brake lights and crash into you.

If you crash in snowy conditions, accuweather.com recommends getting the vehicle off the road, reporting the crash to law enforcement and staying as visible as possible after the crash to help other drivers and emergency crews see you.

You should also fix maintenance on your car before the colder weather kicks in. William Rajewski who works at Perry Collision Repair tells ABC 17 how people can prepare their care for the winter to prevent a car wreck.

"A lot of the cars that come in here after it's snowed out have poor tires. Another thing you want to do is make sure your antifreeze is up, windshield washer fluid is up," Rajewski said.

Taking these extra precautions before getting on the road tomorrow, could potentially help save your life and others.