Be sure to check the weather forecast before heading out on the road. If you can avoid it, don’t drive if the forecast calls for slippery driving conditions. If you must drive, follow these tips: 

• Driving in the snow can be dangerous, especially if your tires aren’t in tip-top condition. When driving in snowy or icy conditions, take extra care and watch your speed.
• Drive slowly.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. This will help your tires find a grip on the road.
• Increase following distance to 5-6 seconds. You’ll need longer distances to stop.
• Don’t stop if you can avoid it. If you can, try to roll along slowly until a traffic light changes rather than come to a complete stop and have to start up again.
• Watch the hills. Applying the gas on snow-covered roads makes your wheels spin. And don’t stop on a hill; you might not be able to get going again.

Last year, AAA responded to more than 1,000,000 roadside assistance calls between December 21 and March 19th in the states in the AAA Northeast region. Yet, more than 40% of all drivers don’t keep emergency kits in their cars. AAA recommends all members have these items to prepare for winter driving:

• Mobile phone and car charger
• First-aid kit
• Blanket(s) and/or extra sweatshirt or jacket
• Drinking water and snacks.  Don’t forget your pet!
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Rags, paper towels, or wipes
• Basic toolkit, including duct tape and warning devices such as flares or reflectors
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Jumper cables or jump pack
• Traction aid, such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter
• Tarp, raincoat, and gloves
• Small shovel

AAA recommends a few precautions to help keep you safe while you wait for assistance. 

• Stay with your vehicle. It provides shelter and makes it easier for people to find you.
• Be visible. Tie a brightly colored cloth to an antenna or at the top of a rolled-up window to signal distress.
• Clear the exhaust pipe of snow, ice, and mud.
• Stay warm with anything you can find to insulate your body from the cold. Blankets and heavy clothing, newspapers or even floor mats can help.
• Conserve fuel. If possible, only run the engine and heater long enough to remove the chill.

Cold weather means more puffy coats and extra layers. Parents need to know that heavy outdoor clothing can affect how well your child’s car seats protect your loved ones. It may appear that straps are snug and attached correctly, but there may be too much extra slack for the seat to work correctly. AAA Northeast recommends securing your children in their car seats without their heavy jackets…strap the child in first, then cover him/her with their coat or extra blankets.

To learn more about car seat safety, visit AAA.com/SafeSeats