LOCAL NEWS

AAA offers tips on wintertime driving safety

As Michiganders face winter and have already handled their first heavy snowfall, AAA is sending out a statewide alert reminding motorists that when it comes to driving in winter weather conditions, the most important is safety.

A forecast for snow, sleet and ice can produce conditions that will likely challenge even the most seasoned driver. AAA recommends:

• Restrict driving privileges for teen or new drivers who have never driven in snowy conditions.

• Provide new drivers with an adult-supervised opportunity to test their driving skills in an empty, snow packed/icy parking lot or low-traffic volume road.

• Help new drivers understand how vehicles operate differently in snowy conditions along with building their driving confidence and skills.

• Take extra care with seniors who may face other driving challenges.

• Access AAA roadside assistance with the free AAA app for iPhone, iPad and Android at AAA.com/mobile.

• Submit road service requests online at www.aaa.com.

AAA’s top 10 tips for winter driving

1. Before starting out, remove snow from the entire car so it doesn’t blow onto your windshield or the windshields of other drivers. Make sure your mirrors and lights are clean as well.

2. Don’t use cruise control in precipitation and freezing temperatures.

3. Remember that four-wheel drive helps you to get going quicker, but it won’t help you stop any faster.

4. Familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s braking system. Drivers with anti-lock brakes should apply firm, constant pressure while those without may need to pump the pedal in order to avoid loss of traction while stopping.

5. Always drive at a speed that matches the prevailing visibility, traffic and road conditions – even if that means driving below the posted speed limit.

6. Compensate for reduced traction by increasing your following distances (normally three to four seconds) to eight to 10 seconds.

7. Allow sufficient room for maintenance vehicles and plows, stay at least 15 car lengths (200 feet) back and, if you need to pass, go to the other vehicle’s left.

8. Watch for icy surfaces on bridges and intersections, even if the rest of the road seems to be in good condition.

9. If you get stuck in snow, straighten the wheel and accelerate slowly. Add sand or cat litter under the drive wheels to help avoid spinning the tires.

10. If your tires lose traction, continue to look and steer in the direction you want to go. If the drive wheels start to spin or slide while going up a hill, ease off the accelerator slightly and then gently resume speed.

Additional winter weather driving tips are available in AAA’s How To Go on Ice and Snow booklet, which can be downloaded at: http://exchange.aaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/How-To-Go-On-Ice-and-Snow.pdf.