Statewide
call for
commuter
caution
during
inclement
weather
Dearborn,
MI -
With
Monday
weather
forecasts
predicting
the
first
snowy
commute
of the
season,
AAA is
sending
out a
statewide
call for
COMMUTER
CAUTION.
Snow,
rain and
ice make
the
winter
months a
risky
time for
motorists
to be
behind
the
wheel.
According
to data
from the
Federal
Highway
Administration
(FHA),
each
year
nearly
one in
four
(24%) of
weather-related
vehicle
crashes
occur on
snowy,
slushy
or icy
pavement.
According
to a
recent
AAA
Consumer
Pulse™
survey,
the top
five
concerns
Michigan
motorists
have
about
driving
during
hazardous
road
conditions
such as
snow and
rain
are:
1. Being
hit by
another
driver
2.
Skidding
/ losing
control
of
vehicle
3. Poor
visibility
4.
Drivers
speeding
5.
Getting
stuck
With
this in
mind,
Michigan
motorists
are
reminded
that
when it
comes to
driving
in
winter
weather
conditions,
it’s
important
to
revisit
the safe
winter
driving
playbook.
Although
this
holds
true for
even the
most
seasoned
driver,
additional
caution
is urged
for new
and
mature
drivers
when it
comes to
the
hazards
of snow
and ice.
These
tips are
for
everyone:
AAA
Top Ten
Tips for
Winter
Driving
1.
Before
starting
out,
remove
ice and
snow
from the
entire
car,
mirrors
and
lights
so you
have
clear
driving
visibility.
2.
Don't
use
cruise
control
in
precipitation
and
freezing
temperatures.
3.
Remember
that
four-wheel
drive
helps
you to
get
going
quicker,
but it
won't
help you
stop any
faster.
4.
Familiarize
yourself
with
your
vehicle’s
braking
system.
Drivers
with
anti-lock
brakes
should
apply
firm,
constant
pressure
while
those
without
may need
to pump
the
pedal in
order to
avoid
loss of
traction
while
stopping.
5.
Always
drive at
a speed
that
matches
the
prevailing
visibility,
traffic
and road
conditions
– even
if that
means
driving
below
the
posted
speed
limit.
6.
Compensate
for
reduced
traction
by
increasing
your
following
distances
(normally
three to
four
seconds)
to eight
to ten
seconds.
7. 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.
8.
Watch
for icy
surfaces
on
bridges
and
intersections,
even if
the rest
of the
road
seems to
be in
good
condition.
9. If
you get
stuck in
snow or
ice,
straighten
the
wheel
and
accelerate
slowly.
Add sand
or cat
litter
under
the
drive
wheels
to help
avoid
spinning
the
tires.
10. 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.
Additional
winter
weather
driving
tips are
available
through
THIS
LINK to
AAA’s
How to
Go on
Ice and
Snow
booklet.
The AAA
Consumer
Pulse™
Survey
was
conducted
online
among
residents
living
in
Michigan
from
October
10, 2017
–
October
18,
2017. A
total of
354
Michigan
drivers
completed
the
survey.
Overall
results
have a
maximum
margin
of error
of ± 5.2
percentage
points.
Responses
are
weighted
by
gender
and age
to
ensure
reliable
and
accurate
representation
of the
adult
population
(18+) in
Michigan.
I
HI TECH NEWS
I
SPORTS
I
