BUFFALO, N.Y. — Officials across Western New York say you should not head out into the snowy conditions unless you absolutely have to.
With that in mind, AAA shared some important safety reminders as the first significant snowfall is hitting many areas across the region this weekend.
For starters, leave early and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. Take it slow, and keep plenty of space between yourself and other vehicles. Also, if you do happen to get into an accident, you're urged to stay calm.
AAA Fleet Operations Manager Todd Ingraham said about 46 percent of all crashes involving bad weather take place in the winter, making it the worst time of year for traveling in such conditions.
Here are some tips to remember if you do need to drive somewhere in the snow:
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Give yourself more time to slow down on wet and icy roads.
- Increase following distances. Give yourself more room to maneuver in dangerous conditions.
- Know your brakes. Stay focused, and stay alert, for when you need to slow down.
- Don’t power up hills. Some extra gas on snow-covered roads could result in spinning your wheels.
- Don’t stop going up a hill. If at all possible, try to get on a flat roadway first before taking on a hill.
Another thing to keep in mind is what you should do if you happen to get stuck. AAA suggests:
- Clear a path in front of your wheels for several feet. You can do that by driving forward and backward, or shoveling.
- With your wheels pointed straight, put it in "drive" and apply gentle pressure to the gas. Don't spin your wheels.
- If you need more traction, use traction mats, kitty litter, or abrasive materials.
- Rock your vehicle out by slowly moving forward and rolling backward, and avoid your spinning wheels.
- Again, stay home if you can when there's poor visibility. If you must go out, drive slow and pull over if necessary.