Page 17 - AAA Northampton County - AAA Now! Winter 2014

17 Winter 2014 3914 Hecktown Rd., Easton, PA • (610) 258-2371 •www.aaanc.com
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With AccuWeather’s winter forecast calling for above-normal snowfall in some
parts of the country, AAA recommends motorists brush up on winter driving
techniques before the weather outside turns frightful. It’s important to prepare
your car for harsh winter weather. AAA’s Winter Car Care Checklist can help
determine a vehicle’s winter maintenance needs. Many of the items on the list can
be inspected by a car owner in less than an hour, but others should be performed
by a certified technician. Visit AAA.com/checklist to view the list.
Normal following distances of three to four seconds for dry pavement should
be increased to eight to 10 seconds when driving on icy, slippery surfaces. This
extra time will allow for extra braking distance should a sudden stop become
necessary. If driving on a four-lane highway, stay in the clearest lane; avoid
changing lanes and driving over built-up snow. Do not use cruise control when
driving on any slippery (wet, ice, snow, sand) surface.
Some driving situations require abrupt action to avoid a crash or collision and in
winter conditions the decision to steer or brake can have very different outcomes.
When traveling over 25 MPH, AAA recommends steering over braking to avoid
a collision in wintery conditions, as less distance is required to steer around an
object than to brake to a stop. In slick conditions, sudden braking can lead to loss
of vehicle control.
However, sometimes steering is not an option. Braking on slippery surfaces
requires you to look further ahead and increase following and stopping distanc-
es. Plan stopping distances as early as possible and always look 20-30 seconds
ahead of your vehicle to ensure you have time and space to stop safely.
When a vehicle begins to skid, it’s important to not panic. When it does, continue
to look and steer in the direction the car needs to go. Avoid slamming on the brakes.
If you find your vehicle stuck in the snow, AAA members needing assistance
can request roadside rescue at (800) AAA-HELP. Android and iPhone users
can download AAA Mobile, AAA’s mobile smartphone app that provides AAA
services for all motorists, such as mapping and gas price comparison, as well as
member-exclusive benefits including roadside assistance and discounts.