Page 21 - AAA Central Penn – AAA Now! – November/December 2017

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
AAA
TM
New Drivers Need to Beware of Winter
Weather Hazards
Some of you may know a teenager who just obtained a new driver’s license in the last few months, and it’s quite possible that they’ve never driven in wintry weather before.
If that’s the case, please share with them the following message from AAA.
Snow and ice can present some of the most challenging situations that any driver can face, let alone someone who’s had little or no experience dealing with them, so you really need to be particularly careful when driving during this season. If at all possible, ask an experienced driver to go with you until you feel comfortable handling these challenges.
Before you begin, make certain that any frost, snow or ice are cleared from all windows, mirrors, headlights and wiper blades, and check that you have plenty of non-freezing windshield washer fluid in the reservoir. Blowing snow from your hood, roof and trunk can obscure vision while driving and can create a hazard for other drivers and pedestrians, so you’ll need to clear that off as much as possible too.
Once you start moving, if there’s any snow on the road at all, the most important thing to remember
is to take it slower than you normally would. This is critical in order to maintain control on potentially slippery road surfaces, especially when applying the brakes. Traction between your tires and the roadway can be compromised when even a little bit of snow or ice is on the roadway, so allow more time to get to your destination, avoid rapid acceleration and turning, and increase the following distance behind other vehicles.
By Rick Ramsey, Manager, Member Services Operations
Speaking of traction, four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles don’t give you a free pass to ignore the precautions outlined in the previous paragraph. While 4WD/AWD can improve the odds that one
or more tires will be able to get a grip on some
part of the roadway, if traction is lost on all four wheels, you’re in no better shape than anyone else. Stopping distance and cornering are not improved either, so slow down and remain cautious.
It’s a good idea to use your headlights during a snowstorm in order to see and be seen, but 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.
and ice that may have clogged your windshield wipers.
Be patient and avoid passing other vehicles until it’s absolutely safe to do so. If you encounter an active snow plow on the road, maintain a safe distance behind, and don’t pass. Plows create a ridge of snow and ice that can induce whiteout conditions for passing vehicles.
Of course, you should always carry a good ice scraper in your vehicle all winter, but consider taking a few other items along just in case. A small snow shovel to clear accumulated snow from around tires, and some sand, salt, cat litter
or traction mats can help get you moving if your tires start spinning. If you get stuck
As a new driver, you should avoid driving at all when snow is coming down heavily, and there is a high likelihood of icing on the roads; however, if you do get caught
in a bad storm and the snow is coming down so fast your wipers can’t 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. While you’re stopped, remove any chunks of snow
Once you start moving,
if there’s any snow on the road at all, the most important thing to remember is to take it slower than you normally would.
somewhere, warm blankets and extra hats and gloves will help keep you warm until
you can get to safety.
AAA’s "How to Go on Ice and Snow"
brochure is a must-have for preparing to drive this winter! Please call or visit
one of our branch offices to obtain your copy right away. Along with tips on emergency steering, braking and
getting out of skids, this handy guide contains a more comprehensive list of
important items to carry in your car. If you must drive in winter weather
conditions, remember to stay alert, stay safe and slow down!
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
21
Now!