ATLANTA, Ga. (January 20, 2025)—Arctic air is anticipated to blast Georgia this week, and the weather forecast calls for ice and possible snow. This will bring some of the year’s coldest temperatures, expected to be in the 20s and teens. These temperatures can wreak havoc on a vehicle’s functionality. Georgia motorists are reminded to revisit the safe driving playbook during winter weather.
“The safest place to be during adverse weather conditions is indoors, and that’s not always possible,” said Montrae Waiters, AAA spokeswoman. “It is imperative that drivers prepare their vehicles before winter conditions hit.”
Research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that winter storms, bad weather, and sloppy road conditions contribute to nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter.
AAA recommends motorists stay off the roads during inclement weather. If driving cannot be avoided, reduce your speed, keep calm, and do the following:
Preparing your Vehicle for the Winter Road
- Remove all snow and ice from the car, including the hood, roof, and trunk.Make sure the exhaust pipe is snow-free.
- Battery strength- Faulty batteries cause more car starting problems than any other factor. At 0 degrees, a good battery has 35 percent less starting power. Additionally, 3—to 5-year-old batteries will have much less starting power in cold conditions.
- Tire inflation- Under-inflated tires can be dangerous and may suffer damage. Tire air pressure decreases by 1-2 psi for every 10-degree temperature drop.
- Wiper blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe. Replace any blade that builds up and leaves streaks or missed spots. Consider installing winter wiper blades that wrap the blade frame in a rubber boot to reduce ice and snow in areas with snow.
- Washer fluid-To prevent the windshield washer fluid reservoir from freezing, fill it with a winter cleaning solution containing antifreeze.
AAA Safety Tips While on the Road
- Check the weather before setting out and change plans accordingly.
- Pack a well-stocked emergency kit with a cell phone car charger, first-aid kit; extra blankets, hats, gloves, coats, and medicine; plenty of drinking water and non-perishable snacks for passengers, including pets; flashlight and extra batteries; reflective warning triangles; and an ice scraper or snow brush
- Increase your following distances.
- Watch for icy surfaces on bridges and intersections, even if the rest of the road seems to be in good condition.
- Avoid breaking on ice. If you’re approaching a patch of ice, brake during your approach. Control the skid. Applying pressure to your brakes while on ice will throw your car into a skid.
- 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 prevent the tires from spinning.
- 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.
- Slow Down, Move Over. Avoid driving on shoulders or medians so first responders, tow truck operators, and emergency vehicles can reach stranded motorists in dangerous roadside conditions.
- Road closures also apply to our tow truck drivers, as safety is the key for everyone.
- Traffic Signal Blackout: If traffic signal lights are not working due to power failure, you must stop at the intersection and proceed when you know other turning and approaching vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians have stopped. A blacked-out traffic signal works the same as a four-way stop intersection.
- Cold weather can shorten the range of electric vehicles. EV drivers should plan for more frequent charging stops and identify charging stations’ locations before they hit the road. AAA recommends “pre-heating” the inside of your electric vehicle to a comfortable temperature while still connected to the charger. This will reduce the vehicle’s battery demand to regulate cabin temperature at the onset of driving.
AAA’s Tips for Stranded Motorists on the Roadside
- Stay in the vehicle. Your car can provide shelter, allowing emergency responders to locate you more effectively and preventing you from being struck by an approaching vehicle. If you must get out of the car, ensure the surroundings are safe.
- Don’t leave the car running to make the gas last longer. If there is an extended traffic jam, turn off the engine for a period of time, then back on to reheat the inside when it has gotten too cold again.
- If you are in an unsafe situation, please get in touch with law enforcement.
AAA Weather Company Alerts Whether you’re at home or on the road, knowing what the weather will be like can be crucial to protecting the people, pets, and the things you treasure most. AAA members can track weather events for free by signing up for Weather Company Alerts. Learn more at www.aaa.com/weather.
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About AAA – The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is North America’s second-largest AAA club, with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings, and more. ACG belongs to the National AAA Federation, with more than 64 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.