Winter is the deadliest season on U.S. and local roads with nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 deaths during adverse weather and road conditions.
AAA said the rain, snow and sleet can reduce your visibility making it difficult to safely maneuver. They advise that during a winter storm, if you can stay home. For those that have to travel make sure to slow down, accelerate and decelerate slowly and give yourself plenty of room. If you start to slide stay calm.
“So, what you want to do if you do start to slide is to take both feet out look down the road where you want to go and steer that steering wheel,” said AAA Spokesperson Kimberly Schwind. “Staying calm is going to give you a better chance of correcting that skid.”
Roadside assistance calls can double or triple during winter weather and that could leave you stranded for longer than normal, so make sure you’re prepared before venturing out.
“You do need to have some of those creature comforts blankets, warm clothes, food, water for everybody in the vehicle, medications if you need them just in case because you can never be too prepared,” said Schwind.
Schwind said it’s also important to make sure your car is ready to drive in the snow. Check your tires, make sure you have plenty of windshield washer fluid and that your wipers are in good condition. You should also have a safety kit with jumper cables, ice scraper and a charger for your cell phone.
