Reminders About Driving Safety From AAA Ahead Of Winter Storm

AAA said the sudden onset of dangerously cold weather often leads to a spike in assistance calls, especially for dead batteries.

Friday, January 12th 2024, 5:59 am

By: MaKayla Glenn

AAA-Oklahoma is urging drivers to make sure their vehicles are ready for the cold before a polar plunge in temperatures arrives.

AAA said the sudden onset of dangerously cold weather often leads to a spike in assistance calls, especially for dead batteries.

Spokeswoman Rylie Fletcher suggests doing a full check of your vehicle to prevent roadside break downs.

What are the best safety practices for driving in freezing weather?

AAA said before you hit the road, you should open your hood and check for any visible deterioration.

Always check the air pressure in your tires because with every 10 degrees drop, your tires can lose one pound of pressure.

Remember to find a safe place to pull over if you have trouble.

Always put on your hazard lights and stay in your vehicle.

Fletcher said the most important thing you can do is slow down, because you don’t want to be in a situation where your car slides across the road.

“Whether that be when you’re hitting the brakes, whether you're hitting the gas pedal, even your speed in general. Do those actions slower than you would typically do on a dry road. Those conditions out there that we might see coming into this weekend, your car can slip really easily if there’s any slickness on the road or if it's icy out there," Fletcher said.

If you must get on the road, make sure you allow extra time to get where you’re going.