PORTLAND, Maine — Valentine’s weekend is bringing something Mainers haven’t felt in weeks: mild air, clearer roads, and the sense that winter might finally be loosening its grip.
That feeling can be misleading.
The first warm stretch of late winter often changes how people drive. After weeks of navigating snow, slush, and icy conditions, drivers subconsciously relax when pavement looks dry. Speeds increase. Following distances shrink. Attention drifts.
And on a holiday weekend, movement spikes.
Couples are heading into downtown Portland for dinner near the Old Port. Cars fill parking areas around Commercial Street. Traffic thickens along I-295 and Forest Avenue. Visitors make scenic stops near the Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth before evening plans.
Warmer temperatures also bring more pedestrians out — especially around Exchange Street and the waterfront — creating more unpredictable moments for drivers who aren’t expecting heavier foot traffic in February.
It’s not the snow that catches people off guard this time of year.
It’s the comfort.
When conditions feel easier, reaction times often slow. Drivers assume others see them. They assume braking will be quick. They assume traffic will flow smoothly.
But Valentine’s weekend adds emotion, distraction, and tighter schedules to the mix.
The combination of warmer weather, increased travel, and elevated anticipation can quietly raise crash risk across Maine roadways — even without a single snowflake falling.
If you’re traveling anywhere in Portland this Saturday or Sunday, especially after dark, stay alert.
Because the most dangerous winter driving conditions aren’t always the ones covered in snow.
