Drivers urged to be prepared for changing road conditions

Published 12:11 pm Sunday, January 16, 2022

Motorists reminded to fill up the gas tank, pack an emergency kit, listen to travel advisories

Those traveling across the Bluegrass during the long Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend may face a mixed bag of precipitation, ranging from ice and sleet to heavy snow. With uncertainty on the horizon as to how much precipitation and what form it will take, AAA urges motorists to prepare ahead by filling up the gas tank and packing a vehicle emergency kit, if they must travel.

With schools and numerous business closed in observance of the national holiday, many motorists will be able to avoid a potentially treacherous Monday morning commute. But those traveling over the long holiday weekend and workers who need to get to their jobs could face challenges, as Kentucky is expected to see a mixture of rain, sleet, ice and snow starting Sunday and remains under a Winter Storm Warning until 3 a.m. Monday morning.

“If snow or ice begin to accumulate on roadways, the best advice for motorists is to stay home if you don’t need to travel,” says Lori Weaver Hawkins, public affairs manager, AAA Blue Grass. ”For those who must be on the roads, AAA urges that they adjust their driving behaviors and prepare ahead of time for changing conditions to stay safe as the winter storm moves through the Bluegrass.”

According to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, winter storms, bad weather, and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter.

Winter Driving Preparedness

• Make certain your tires are properly inflated and have adequate tread.  Colder weather typically requires increasing tire pressure. Make sure pressure levels match those found in the owner’s manual or the driver-side door jamb. Note that pressure levels may be different for front versus rear tires. You can easily check your tire tread by doing the quarter test. Take a Washington quarter and insert into the tire tread upside down, with Washington’s head going first. If the top of Washington’s head is visible at any point on the tire, you need new tires.
• Check battery. Staring an engine in cold temperatures can take up to twice as much current as needed under normal conditions. The average battery lasts 3 to 5 years in West Virginia’s climate. Make sure the battery terminals and cable ends are free from corrosion and the connections are tight. You can have the battery and charging system checked by a trained technician to ensure it is strong enough to face cold weather. AAA members can request a visit from a AAA Mobile Battery Service technician who will test their battery and replace it on-site, if necessary.
• Check wiper blades. The blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe. Replace any blade that leaves streaks or misses spots.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.  Condensation can sometimes form in the empty areas of a gas tank. During winter, it’s possible for this condensation to freeze inside the gas lines, meaning that it will prevent you from starting your vehicle. Your fuel pump could also be affected. When you are low on fuel, your fuel pump could begin sucking in air, causing it to overheat or even fail, resulting in costly repairs. In addition, it’s good to keep your vehicle’s tank at least half full in case of an emergency, should you be stranded and need to stay warm. Wintry weather can also cause unexpected traffic snarls, using more gas than you may have anticipated.
• Ensure your AAA membership is up to date. AAA members should travel with their membership card, download the AAA app to their mobile phone or otherwise have their membership number handy when calling for roadside assistance. Making sure your AAA membership is active to take advantage of roadside assistance is important and as simple as going to AAA.com or stopping in at a AAA retail location. AAA is reminding all vehicle owners to make sure their AAA Membership is up to date.

Prepare a Winter Emergency Kit
“You can reduce the chance of a breakdown by keeping your vehicle up-to-date on maintenance, and checking to be sure tires and battery are road ready. The second goal, should you break down, is to stay as safe and warm as possible while waiting for help to arrive,” Weaver Hawkins said.

Many of the winter emergency items listed below―plus pre-assembled winter emergency kits―are available in the online store at AAA.com.

“Emergency supplies should include whatever you would need to keep you―and your passengers―safe and warm while waiting for help to arrive,” Weaver Hawkins says.

AAA Recommended Winter Emergency Kit:   

• Abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter) or traction mats
• Snow shovel
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• De-icer
• Ice scraper with brush
• Jumper cables
• Extra warm clothing (gloves, hats, scarves), and blankets
• Warning devices (flares or triangles)
• Drinking water and non-perishable snacks for both human and pet passengers
• If traveling with an infant, be sure to pack extra food and supplies
• First-aid kit
• Basic toolkit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench)
• Mobile phone pre-programmed with rescue apps and important phone numbers including family and emergency services and charger

Tips for Driving in the Snow

• Avoid driving while you’re fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
• Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage, nor leave a running vehicle unattended.
• Drive slowly. Every maneuver takes longer on snow-covered roads.  Be aware of traffic ahead and slow down even more if you start to see brake lights or fish tailing cars.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids.
• Don’t follow behind other vehicles as closely as you would when driving in clear, dry conditions. Slick roads means your vehicle cannot slow down as quickly. Increase following distances to 8 seconds or more. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop. Do not tailgate. Try to always keep open space on at least one side of your vehicle, in case you need make an emergency lane change maneuver.
• Don’t be rough with your steering, acceleration and braking. If you are not gentle with steering, acceleration and braking, your vehicle’s balance can be negatively affected, increasing the chance of experiencing a skid. Always steer, accelerate and brake smoothly.
• Avoid braking on icy roads. Try to brake well ahead of stop signs and traffic lights, preferably in areas of clear pavement. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold braking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, without getting close to vehicles ahead of you, do it.
• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top rather than hard acceleration. Do not stop on your way up the hill. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.
• Pull over. Whenever visibility is limited or you otherwise feel at risk, pull over at your first opportunity to do so safely.
• Don’t hit the brakes if you start to skid. Slamming on the brakes can make the skid even worse. If you are approaching a patch of ice, brake during your approach. Applying pressure to your brakes while on the ice will only throw you into a skid. If you do start to skid, ease off of the accelerator or brake and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go.
• Never use cruise control on slippery roads. Cruise control will cause you to lose the ability to transfer more weight to the front tire by simply lifting off the accelerator. A driver should always be in full control of their vehicle during poor road conditions.
• Be sure your headlights are on. While many vehicles have automatic headlights, it’s important to be sure you are driving with your lights on to see and be seen.
• Limit distractions. This is important always, But in bad weather, drivers should be looking ahead in anticipation of any unexpected changes in road conditions or traffic.
• Avoid unnecessary lane changes. This increases the chances of hitting a patch of ice between lanes that could cause loss of vehicle traction.
• If you get stuck in the snow or go off the road:
  • Stay with your vehicle: Your vehicle provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Do not try to walk in a severe storm. It is easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
  • Don’t over-exert yourself: When digging out your vehicle, listen to your body and stop if you become tired.
  • Be Visible: Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna of your vehicle or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
  • Clear the Exhaust Pipe: Make sure the exhaust pipe is not clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust pipe can cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment of the vehicle while the engine is running.
  • Stay Warm: Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps. Pre-pack blankets and heavy clothing to use in case of an emergency.
  • Conserve Fuel: If possible, only run the engine and heater long enough to remove the chill. This will help to conserve fuel.
• Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the winter weather from indoors.

Slow Down and Move Over for Emergency Vehicles and Disabled Vehicles at the Roadside
It is a state law in West Virginia that drivers must “Slow Down and Move Over” a lane, if they can do so safely, whenever they are passing emergencies vehicles at the roadside. This is especially important when roads are wet or snow-covered. “Slow Down, Move Over” is not just the law, it is a safe driving practice meant to protect first responders, tow truck drivers, public works employees and all motorists at risk of becoming disabled.