Winter weather could complicate travel this weekend, AAA urges drivers to prepare
Prajukta Ghosh
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Winter weather could make travel tricky this weekend and the National Weather Service is urging drivers to take extra precautions before hitting the road.
Making sure vehicles are winter-ready is key, as conditions could quickly become dangerous. AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria said the impact is already being felt.
In a press release, Chabarria shared that AAA expects roadside emergency calls to jump by about 150% compared to normal during the wintry weather.
“With the cold and the winter precipitation we are expecting in the weekend, now is the time that you wanna make sure that your vehicle is prepared. AAA’s recommendation would be to stay home if you can and stay off the roads,” Chabarria said.
He pointed out that not everyone has that option. Many people already have travel plans, so it’s especially important to make sure your vehicle is in good working order and ready to handle winter weather.
According to Chabarria, the number one reason people call AAA for roadside assistance during the winter is dead or weakened batteries.
“Your vehicle’s battery loses about a third of its starting power when the temperature drops below freezing so the prolonged cold that we are expecting it going to be havoc on vehicle batteries,” Chabarria said.
He also highlighted a AAA survey that found about 40% of drivers don’t carry a winter emergency kit in their vehicle at all.
That’s a big concern, especially when snow or ice is in the forecast. Chabarria stressed how important it is to have a few basic items on hand in case you run into trouble.
A good set of jumper cables is a must, especially in extreme cold when batteries are more likely to fail.
“Good pair of jumper cables for the reason we talked about being it extremely cold which may wreck the vehicle’s batteries. So you can jump your batteries and stay warm and get at least started so you can stay warm,” Chabarria added.
He also recommends carrying a bag of salt or kitty litter to place under your tires if you hit slick spots or need extra traction. Other helpful items include a snow shovel, ice scraper, or snow brush whenever winter weather is expected.
“Warm blankets, coats, gloves, hats, mittens for anybody who is travelling in the vehicle with you to keep warm and cozy,” Chabarria added.
If you do slide off the road or get stuck in the snow, he says the safest option is usually to stay inside your vehicle.
Not only does it keep you warm, but it also makes you more visible to other drivers than standing outside the car.
“Stay warm while you wait for help and it’s snowing. You want to make sure to clear any snow or ice periodically from your tailpipe to make sure it’s not trapping any exhaust fumes,” Chabarria said.
Chabarria also mentioned tire pressure, noting that it typically drops when a car sits overnight in cold weather. For every 10-degree drop in temperature, tires can lose about one pound of air pressure.
That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on tire pressure during the winter and make sure it doesn’t get too low.