Winter sees a rise in road collisions. In the cold months, more than half of all incidents fall into this category, while spring and summer hover around 45–47 percent. This assessment comes from an Izvestia report citing Sergei Demidov, the vice president of auto insurance at Renaissance Insurance, who notes that harsher weather pushes up traffic crashes and, consequently, insurance payouts.
Harsh conditions such as heavy snowfall and ice contribute to more accidents, according to the expert. The most frequent issues observed this winter involve collisions with other vehicles (about 55%) and impacts with stationary objects (roughly 21%). These figures highlight how treacherous winter driving can be, especially in shifting visibility and slick surfaces that complicate maneuvering and braking.
Demidov adds that damage to vehicles often occurs in parking areas. However, the share of parking-related crashes declines compared with warmer months, dropping from around 20% to about 14%. The decline is partly due to reduced visibility of minor damage when vehicles are buried under snow, making some incidents less noticeable until they are more obvious or later detected during routine checks.
In related commentary, veteran road safety advocate Sergei Shchetinin emphasizes the value of preemptive knowledge about road and weather conditions. His takeaway is straightforward: awareness of conditions can help prevent serious winter crashes, and travelers should avoid undertaking journeys in severe weather whenever possible.
In the event of a collision, the recommended steps focus on safety first. Individuals should assess themselves and others for injuries. If no injuries are present, drivers should activate the hazard lights, exit the vehicle with care, and contact emergency services by dialing 112. Keeping warm clothing and a reflective vest in the car during winter months is advised to enhance personal safety and visibility in case of a breakdown or accident.
As a reminder of recent weather-related disruption, more than 20 vehicles were involved in a multi-vehicle crash on the M-4 Don highway in the Tula region due to adverse conditions, underscoring the real-world impact of winter road hazards and the importance of cautious driving during winter weather.