AAA Texas Offers Guidelines to Prepare for Winter Driving Dangers

IRVING, Texas--Dec. 2, 20042, 2004--As meteorologists forecast lower temperatures, AAA Texas is encouraging motorists to be prepared for adverse conditions as the weather turns cold.

"In 2002, sleet and snow contributed to more than 205,000 reported crashes nationally," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "Many of these could have been avoided by adequate preparation for winter driving."

AAA Texas recommends motorists follow these simple guidelines to get ready for winter driving:

-- Make sure the battery and charging system are in good condition. Cold weather places high demands on vehicle electrical systems.

-- Have the brakes inspected, and check that they apply smoothly and evenly to help prevent wheels from locking when the roads get slippery.

-- Equip the vehicle with snow tires, which have 30 percent deeper tread than standard tires. Keep the tires properly inflated. The air pressure in tires will drop 1-2 psi for every 10 degrees drop in outside temperature. Under-inflation can reduce traction and damage tires.

-- Choose narrow tires over wide tires for the best snow traction. Wide tires "float" on top of snow, while narrow tires cut through it for better traction.

-- Make sure the engine coolant provides adequate anti-freeze protection. A 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water provides protection to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (-34 degrees Celsius).

-- Visibility is very important in adverse weather conditions. Replace wipers that streak the windshield, and consider using winter wiper blades that have rubber covers to prevent snow and ice buildup from impairing effectiveness. Fill the windshield washer reservoir with an antifreeze washer solvent.

-- Keep the gas tank at least half full at all times to minimize condensation 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 tire chains (if legal in the area driven), 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 washing solvent, an ice scraper, a cloth or roll of paper towels, jumper cables, a blanket, warning devices (flares or triangles), a charged cellular phone, drinking water, a pair of gloves and extra clothes.

Safe winter driving isn't only about preparing your car for winter storms. Preparing yourself can be just as important.

"Because the task of driving is 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical, a prepared driver is as essential as a prepared vehicle," says Rougeau. "Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter driving tasks reduces driving risks and helps prepare the driver for emergency situations."

AAA Texas, an affiliate of AAA National, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas members benefit from the organization's roadside assistance service, travel agency, financial products, insurance products and services, automotive pricing, buying and financing, trip planning services, and traffic safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on AAA Texas' Web site at www.aaa-texas.com.