AAA offers winter driving tips to help drivers be prepared, safe
Published 11:22 pm Friday, January 17, 2025
- (Metro Creative Services)
Special to the American Press
With an impending winter storm in the forecast for two-thirds of Louisiana, AAA encourages motorists to prepare for adverse cold weather driving conditions with three main steps—prepare your vehicle; plan your journey in advance; and be cautious while on the road.
Prepare Your Vehicle
First, make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter driving. AAA offers the following tips for motorists departing on winter road trips:
- Have the battery and charging system tested by a trusted mechanic. A fully charged battery in good condition is required to start an engine in cold weather. If your battery in 3 years or older, you should have it tested before the storm arrives.
- Have the brakes checked to ensure they work properly and apply smoothly, which helps prevent the wheels from locking on slick surfaces.
- Make sure the tires are properly inflated. Under-inflated tires can be dangerous, and may suffer damage. Remember, the air pressure in your tires will decrease 1-2 psi for every 10-degree drop in outside temperature.
- Make sure the engine coolant provides anti-freeze protection down to the lowest temperatures you are likely to encounter; -30oF/-34oC is a good guideline.
- Visibility is critical in adverse weather conditions, so replace worn windshield wipers that streak, and be sure the washer reservoir is filled with a winter solvent that will not freeze.
- Keep the gas tank at least half full at all times to minimize condensation buildup that can lead to gas line freeze-up.
- Carry a winter driving kit for use in the event of an emergency. The kit should include a small bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter), a small snow shovel, a snow brush, traction mats, a flashlight with new batteries, window washer solvent, an ice scraper, a cloth or roll of paper towels, jumper cables, and warning devices (flares or triangles)
- Because you may become stranded on the road for a long period of time before traffic clears or roadside assistance arrives, be sure to back drinking water, extra layers of clothes, and blankets.
- Carry a cellular phone and car charger. Program the phone with important numbers including a reliable roadside service provider that will be able to assist you during inclement weather if you have signed up in advance, such as AAA emergency road service (800-AAA-HELP).
You can visit a local, reliable auto repair facility for assistance in preparing your vehicle for winter driving. If you are not familiar with facilities in your area or unsure of how to identify a reliable and professional facility, AAA can assist with a listing of AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities that have met and maintained high professional standards, A free listing of AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities is available by visit the automotive page of AAA.com.
Plan Your Trip
Check on road conditions in advance. Utilize the DOTD’s Traveler Information System simply by dialing 511 from your phone and saying the route or region about which they are seeking information. Travelers can also access this information by visiting the 511 Traveler Information Web site at www.511la.org.
Optionally, the DOTD provides timely updates on X with the handle @La_DOTD.
Drive With Caution
All drivers should heed the warnings of state officials who caution against being on the road under certain weather conditions. If the forecast calls for icy road conditions, AAA strongly encourages motorists to stay off the roads.
More crashes involving property damage occur during the winter months than at any other time.
When taking to the road during winter weather, remember to drive with caution to help maintain your safety as well as that of passengers, fellow motorists, and roadside workers. AAA recommends the following tips for winter driving:
- Make sure your windows, mirrors and lights are clean of frost, ice, or snow.
- Drive with your low-beam headlights illuminated.
- When the roads are icy, slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination. Even better, delay your trip, stop early for the day, or take an extended break from driving.
- Slow Down, Move over – it’s the law. If a vehicle is pulled over with its emergency lights flashing, approaching vehicles are required to move over into the next lane, or if that’s not possible, then slow down at least 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.
- 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.
- Watch for icy surfaces on bridges, even when the rest of the road seems to be in good condition.
- 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.
- 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.
- Look farther ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra seconds to react.
- When changing lanes, avoid cutting in front of trucks, which need more time and distance than passenger vehicles to stop.
- Don’t use cruise control in precipitation and freezing temperatures.
- Remember that four-wheel drive helps you to get going quicker, but it won’t help you stop any faster.
- Apply constant, firm pressure to the pedal with anti-lock brakes.
As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 65 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.
