NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With the season’s first accumulating ice and snow forecast to impact much of the Sunflower State this weekend, AAA Kansas is urging drivers to be prepared for the conditions.
"We're just wanting to remind drivers to be prepared," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "First and foremost, if you don't have to be out driving in the height of the winter storm, just stay home. That's the safest, for sure. If you do have to be out in it, just refamiliarize yourself with driving on snow and ice. Take everything slower. Be much more deliberate. Leave plenty of extra space for turns and stops and pretty much everything as you are driving."
AAA Kansas anticipates an increase in emergency roadside service calls as the wintry weather sweeps through and road conditions deteriorate, with slide-offs and crashes due to slick roads, battery/non-start problems and flat tires the main culprits.
"Tires and batteries are among the most common reasons why our AAA emergency roadside service crews get called for service," Steward said. "If you can, get your battery in and checked out by a professional, to make sure that it's strong enough to face this cold weather, not only for this weekend, but throughout the winter. We'll likely get much colder throughout the winter. Get your battery in and get it checked. The typical life span of a car battery is about three to five years."
AAA members can request a visit from a AAA mobile battery service technician who will test their battery and replace it on-site, if necessary. Also, keep your gas tank at least half-full to avoid gas line freeze-up. Use your mobile devices when you are stopped to give you the best idea of how things are where you are going.
"It's important to stay up on road and weather conditions," Steward said. "KDOT has their KanDrive site, or they also have a mobile app with that same information. We also recommend loading a good weather app with live radar, so you can keep up with where the storm is in relationship to where you are headed and hopefully avoid the worst of the storm."
Hazardous storms and inclement weather are a factor in an average of nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,200 traffic crash deaths nationwide every winter, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.