Special section
Winter
Driving
Safety
Severe weather can be both frightening and
dangerous for automobile travel. Motorists
should know the safety rules for dealing
with winter road emergencies.
AAA recommends the following winter driving tips:
• Avoid driving while you’re fatigued. Getting the proper amount of
rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
• Never run a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
• Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full.
• If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy
weather.
• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface
(wet, ice, sand).
• Always look and steer where you want to go.
• Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.
Tips for long-distance winter trips:
• Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before
driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is
expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination
and estimated time of arrival.
• Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by
having it inspected by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.
• Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
• Pack a cellular telephone with your local AAA’s telephone number,
plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication
in your vehicle.
• If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides
temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you.
Don’t try to walk in a severe storm. It’s easy to lose sight of your
vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
• Don’t over-exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out
of the snow.
• Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna 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.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A
blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak
into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
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• Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This
could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.
• If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove
the chill and to conserve gasoline.
Tips for driving in the snow:
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to
accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding
skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow
down for a stoplight. Remember, it takes longer to slow down on
icy roads.
• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads.
Accelerating, stopping and turning—nothing happens as quickly as
on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
• The normal dry-pavement following distance of three to four
seconds should be increased to eight to 10 seconds. This increased
margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have
to stop.
• Know your brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS) and need
to slow down quic