Page 21 - AAA Central Penn – AAA Now! – November/December 2016

NOV. 25 - DEC. 25
WITH YOU ON
THE ROAD OF LIFETM
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TAKE SOME HOME TODAY
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To learn more, visit your local AAA Central Penn office or AAA.com/giftcards
*$0 purchase fee applies to AAA office purchases only and is valid from November 25 to December 25, 2016. Monthly inactivity fee of $2.95 with 12 consecutive months of inactivity. Lost/stolen replacement card fee of $5.95. Visa gift cards are issued by MetaBank®, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Terms and conditions apply.
Snow & Ice? No Problem!
Ahhh, winter, and the advent of snow once again – best viewed from the window of a nice toasty- warm room with a hot cup of cocoa in your hands, and don’t forgot some fresh mini marshmallows
on top!
The trouble begins when you have to put
down the cup of cocoa, bundle up and shovel out the driveway so you can get out on the road and navigate your way along treacherously slippery roads.
When road conditions are snowy or icy, plan from the outset to take it easy, slow down and allow more time to get to your destination than you might otherwise have done. Traction between your tires and the roadway can be compromised under these conditions, so avoid rapid acceleration, turning
and braking.
Before starting out, it’s important to make sure
your vehicle is ready to go. To maximize visibility, clear snow, ice and frost from your headlights and all windows and mirrors. See to it that your wiper blades are clear of ice and snow, and that you have plenty of non-freezing washer fluid in the reservoir.
Ice and snow that becomes dislodged from your vehicle while driving could be very hazardous
to pedestrians and other drivers, so take care to remove as much of it as you can from the hood, roof and trunk. Pennsylvania law levies hefty fines if
injury or death results from snow or ice falling from your vehicle.
Once on the road, accelerate and decelerate slowly, ease into turns and curves, and allow an extra margin of safety between you and the car
in front of you. On dry pavement, we normally recommend that you allow a minimum stopping zone of about 4 to 5 seconds. In snowy, icy and even rainy conditions, that stopping zone should be increased to 8 to 10 seconds or more, depending upon the slickness of the roadway.
While using headlights during a snowstorm, be sure to keep them on the low-beam setting. High beams will reflect off of the snow and back into your eyes, making it more difficult to see ahead.
If you’re planning a long trip, check the weather all along your route of travel. You may want to delay your trip if particularly bad weather is expected, but if you must go, communicate your route, destination and estimated time of arrival to friends or family.
Be sure to pack extra warm clothing, blankets, hats, gloves, food and water, and any needed medication in case you become stranded.
When the snow is coming down so fast that not even the windshield wipers’ highest setting can keep up, pull over at a rest stop or parking lot to wait for the storm’s intensity to subside. If neither is available, pull onto the shoulder of the
road, well away from the traffic flow, and use your emergency flashers so that other drivers can see you. If your wipers become clogged with snow and ice, pull over to clear them and the windows before proceeding, to ensure maximum visibility.
In the event that you do become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you (it also helps to mark your vehicle with a brightly colored cloth on the antenna or in a window, and in darkness, to keep your dome light on). Don’t try to walk in a severe storm. It’s easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
Most importantly, be alert! Watch out for pedestrians and other drivers who may not be quite as vigilant about safety as you are, and if you don’t absolutely have to drive in severe weather, stay off the road and grab that hot cup of cocoa.
For a comprehensive guide on winter driving preparation, please call or visit one of our branch offices to obtain a copy of our "How to Go on Ice and Snow" brochure. This handy document contains a list of important items to carry in your car, and even how to avoid and how to get out of a skid.
Have a happy, safe winter driving season!
– Rick Ramsey
Manager, Member Services Operations
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
21
Now!