That includes slowing down.
Towson, Md (KM). The first day of spring is less than a week away, but, obviously, Old Man Winter isn’t through with us yet, as the region is being pounded by snow.
AAA Mid-Atlantic says it’s best to stay home if you don’t have to go out. But if you do, the auto club urges you to take its slow. “Obviously, everything takes longer on snow covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning, all of those things are impacted when the roads are snow covered,” says Ragina Cooper Averella, the Director of Government and Public Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “So make sure you give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.”
Other suggestions include increasing your following distance to eight to ten seconds, and make sure your headlights are on so you can see and be seen. And don’t use cruise control, says Averella.
“Always wear your seatbelt. That’s certainly the best protection if you should become involved in a crash, or swerve off the side of the road,” she says.
AAA also says minimize any distractions when driving, which is something all motorists should do regardless of the weather, Averalla says.
And before you set out, make sure you have an emergency kit in your vehicle “to include a shovel, an ice scraper, de-icer, blanket, gloves, flashlight, warning flares, kitty litter or sand for traction, a fully charged cell phone, and water and snacks and medicine if in case you should become stranded alongside the roadway,” says Averella.
By Kevin McManus