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First Snow of Season Tests Winter Driving Skills, Says AAA Michigan

6 December 1999

First Snow of Season Tests Winter Driving Skills, Says AAA Michigan

    DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 6 -- In Michigan, the first snow of the
season often catches some drivers off guard.
    They find out the hard way that slick driving conditions can affect a
vehicle's handling and braking ability.  In fact, says AAA Michigan, the
leading cause of traffic crashes on ice-slicked, snow-clogged roads is
following the car in front too closely.  The driver in front stops; you can't.
    AAA Michigan recommends increasing your following distance on slippery
roads from the good-road gap of 3 seconds to 6 seconds.
    A good way to measure the six-second time gap is to pick out a distinct
road marking or sign, and then begin counting when the car ahead passes that
spot -- "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two ..."
    Use extra caution on shaded areas and bridges, overpasses and
intersections -- areas where ice is likely to form first or be slipperiest
because the shiny ice surface has either been polished by previous traffic, a
thin layer of water covers melting ice below or a temperature difference
exists.
    *  Improve visibility by clearing all snow and ice from the entire car --
hood, roof, trunk, turn signals, lights, windows, mirrors, even fender wells.
Also, driving with headlights on low-beam provides better road illumination in
snow and fog than using high-beams.
    *  Remember, posted speed limits are set for ideal road and weather
conditions.
    *  Avoid sudden starts, stops and turns.  Accelerate carefully so car
wheels don't spin.
    *  Don't brake hard.
    *  In a skid, ease off the accelerator and don't lock up the brakes.
Carefully steer in the direction you want the car to go and straighten the
wheel as soon as the car begins to go in the desired direction.
    *  Anticipate potential danger such as ice on bridges, snow-covered lane
markings, stalled cars and poor visibility.  Adjust speed, increase distance
between other cars or change lanes to avoid trouble.  Watch for other drivers
who may be unprepared for changing road conditions.
    *  Motorists should carry shovel, boots and other winter items in their
trunks and make sure vehicles have at least a half tank of gas.

    So far today (as of 8 a.m.), AAA Michigan has serviced 400 motorists, with
battery trouble, flat tires and spin-outs among the most common problems.
Numbers are normal for a Monday morning.