18-02-2025
Keeping safe on those wintry roads throughout the week
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Winter weather is back in full force, bringing both familiar scenes and fresh challenges to Western New York. While the snow-covered roads may look typical for February, some drivers seem to have forgotten how to navigate them safely.
Looking at the snow-covered ground, you'd think this is a typical February day in Western New York, but recent winters have been unusually mild with below-average snowfall. This year, feels like a return to normal though it's clear some drivers may have forgotten how to handle these conditions. Mark Gruba, a communications specialist with AAA, emphasizes three key factors to keep in mind.
'Slow down, increase your following distance so there's more room around your vehicle and more time to react. Then the third one is slow down, then turn the wheel. So brake, then turn. Don't try to break and turn at the same time. If you do that, you increase the likelihood that the vehicle will go into a skid, particularly on snowy and icy roads,' said Gruba.
Clearing snow off your car isn't just about your safety it's essential for everyone on the road. But before heading out on a wintry day, there are a few other things you should check.
'Make sure that your headlights are working, that your wipers are in good working order as well. And that there's enough fluid in the wiper basin as well. These are all little things that can take a situation that's a little bit dangerous and make it very dangerous if they're not in good working order,' Gruba said.
Tomorrow is National Battery Day, and experts like Gruba are reminding drivers that winter can take a toll on car batteries, increasing the risk of failure.
'On a typical February day, about a quarter of the calls that we get at Triple A are for battery related issues, dead batteries. So it's common, it occurs. I think it really puts the focus on making sure that you've got a good working battery under the hood. So signs that your battery may not have a good working under the hood: if you're having trouble turning the car over, if you're hearing a grinding or a clicking sound, or if the lights are dim, but then brighten as you rev the engine,' said Gruba.
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