If you start to skid while driving, ease your foot off the gas and turn your wheels in the direction you want the front of the car to veer. For those with ABS braking systems, apply steady pressure to the brakes; NEVER pump your brakes on an ABS-equipped vehicle.

For those who must venture out, proper preparation and defensive driving techniques could mean the difference between a safe arrival and a roadside emergency.

Dead batteries, slick roads, crashes and breakdowns — winter weather can be dangerous for drivers. Consumer Reports explains how to winter-proof your car, plus a cold-weather concern affecting electric vehicles.As temperatures drop, roads can quickly get ...