AAA anticipates high winter storm call volumes in northeast Kansas

TOPEKA (KSNT) - AAA is giving tips to prepare for the cold weather as snow and ice are forecasted for the Sunflower State this weekend.

AAA of Kansas shared that it's anticipating an increase in roadside service calls while wintery conditions sweep through the state, according to a Jan. 2 press release. Last year, AAA made more than 20,000 roadside assists in Kansas.

“The usual trend with winter storms is that many people stay off the roads during the worst of it, and then we see more roadside service calls for dead batteries, crashes and slide-offs afterward, once the storm has passed,” said Shawn Steward, public affairs manager for AAA of Kansas. “With the winter precipitation forecast for Saturday and Sunday, we anticipate high call volume on Monday, as many people head back to work or school.”

To prepare for the cold weather, AAA recommends:

• Make sure your tires have good tread and are properly inflated. AAA says tires can lose one psi of pressure for every 10-degree drop in temperature.
• Have your battery checked by a professional. When temperatures drop the battery starting power also drops.
• Keep your gas tank at least half-full to avoid gas lines from freezing.
• Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition. AAA recommends using a winter blend of windshield wiper fluid.
• Make sure all lights are in working condition and can be seen in bad conditions.

If you must drive in snowy and icy conditions, AAA recommends:

• Check roads and weather conditions before leaving.
• Drive slowly.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly.
• Don't slam on your brakes and steer into the direction you want the vehicle to go if you enter into a skid.
• Increase your following distance.
• Know your brakes and keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply pressure to the brake pedal.
• Don't stop if you can avoid it. AAA says you should try to slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes.
• Don't stop while going up a hill. AAA says to gain some inertia before going up the hill.

AAA also recommends keeping a winter weather kit in your car with things like blankets, jumper cables, food, water and a portable charger. For more information on how to prepare your vehicle for the winter, click here.

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