Snow fell again across the area this week. The season’s first coating of white has a way of reminding us how quickly a routine drive can turn risky. And most of us will still head out to work, to school, etc., because staying home isn’t always an option.

That might be a mistake. Last winter, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) logged 8,329 crashes on snowy, icy or slushy roads. That stretch of misfortune included 29 deaths and nearly 3,000 injuries for people statewide.

We know what winter driving looks like around here. We’ve seen cars fishtailing or unable to stop at a stop sign or red light. The highway under that pretty white frosting becomes a trap.

If you must drive, slow is not only safe; it may save you. It may save you. PennDOT urges drivers to reduce speed, increase following distance, and avoid sudden stops or sharp moves.

Think of it this way: on snow or ice, your tires are whispering under you. Lose that whisper, and you’re sliding. Keep it whispering by steering and braking gently.

Another good move: keep the gas tank at least half full and throw a winter kit in the trunk. Blankets, water, a flashlight, an ice scraper, maybe even some sand or kitty litter, these aren’t luxuries. They’re survival tools. PennDOT includes them among its basic winter-driving recommendations. This is also a good time to check your windshield wipers and fluid.

Leave the cruise control off the shelf when the roads are slick. Distracted driving or drowsy driving becomes far more dangerous when traction and visibility are uncertain. And when your wipers are running, turn on your headlights. State law requires it, and it helps others see you through blowing snow or fog.

Don’t forget the little, easy prep steps — clear snow and ice from windows, mirrors, headlights, even the roof and hood. Snow sliding off the roof at highway speed can fly backward and blind a driver behind you. PennDOT includes vehicle clearance in its winter guidance.

While bridges and ramps might look like any other road, they’re often the first to freeze. Watch for that phantom “black ice.” It shows up invisible and fast. Approach those spots and intersections with extra caution. PennDOT warns winter storms can coat those surfaces before main roads feel it.

If weather advisories look rough, think twice before leaving home. PennDOT says the best call is no call: skip the trip.

But sometimes we can’t. So, drive ready. Drive slow. Drive awake. Keep distance. Keep your lights on. Stay alert for patches of glaze on bridges or shaded curves.

Because when a white blanket falls across the valley, it doesn’t change the scenery. It changes every inch of asphalt under your tires.

If you slip, slide or spin out and need help, treat freezing roads as dangerous as open water on a cold day. Move your vehicle off the road if it will run. If it won’t, stay strapped in, turn on hazard lights, call 911. Don’t wander out into traffic. That’s what the Pennsylvania State Police tells us in emergencies.

Each winter, we get a few good snowfalls that slow our lives and bring out the kids’ sleds. But too often, they also bring tragedy to roads in Pennsylvania. You’ll see the headlines. You’ll see the flashing lights.

If you can avoid travel, consider it the better option. If you must go, handle your car as though its grip is borrowed, because in winter, that’s exactly what traction is. Treat it as borrowed, treat it with care.

It won’t make snow go away. But it might just get you home.