With snowy and icy conditions forecast for the next few days, drivers should expect to see a larger number of crashes on Connecticut roadways and should take appropriate steps to ensure their safety, said AAA Northeast.
Driving slowly, increasing following distances, even staying home during bad weather are all good options to avoid unnecessary risks, said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokeswoman.
“Snow and sleet can cause significant safety problems by reducing visibility and making it difficult to stop safely,” she added. “But if you’re vigilant behind the wheel, you can help reduce the number of crashes on roadways.”
Considering the number of early morning crashes today, it’s probably a good time for drivers to review these tips from AAA.
- Drive, accelerate and decelerate slowly. Adjust your speed to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice. In a skid, look and steer in the direction you want to go. Don’t swerve quickly. To regain traction, accelerate slowly.
- Increase your following distance. Allow five to six seconds of following distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. This additional space allows you time to stop safely if the other driver brakes suddenly.
- Know your brakes. Don’t pump your ABS brakes. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
- Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. Slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, rather than come to a complete stop.
- Don’t power hard up hills. Accelerating harder on snow-covered roads just spins your wheels. Gain some momentum before you reach the crest; let momentum carry you over the top. Then reduce your speed and proceed downhill slowly.
- Don’t stop before you reach the crest. There’s nothing worse than trying to move up an icy hill – once you’ve stopped on the hill. Gain some momentum on the flat portion of the roadway before you take on the hill.
- Stay Home. Sometimes conditions are so treacherous the best option is to not drive until roadways are clear to avoid taking unnecessary risks by venturing out.