Keeping safe on the roads during winter weather

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Winter weather is quickly headed to central Ohio with cooler temperatures and wet snow in Thursday’s forecast. 

The American Automobile Association (AAA) said drivers need to be prepared before heading out into inclement weather.   

"Most drivers don't think about the prep for that winter driving and that exciting time during the holidays," AAA Driver Education Supervisor Kellie O'Riordan said.  

O'Riordan said one thing drivers can do to prepare is pack an emergency kit to be kept in the car.  

According to AAA, the emergency kit should include:   

• First aid kit  
• Jumper cables  
• Flashlight with extra batteries  
• Phone charger  
• Blanket  
• Water and nonperishable food  
• Paper towels  
• Basic tools  
• Ice scraper / snow brush  
• Traction aid (sand, salt or non-clumping cat litter)   
• Tarp, raincoat and gloves  
• Shovel  

O'Riordan said drivers should make sure they have everything they may need in case they break down or get stranded, including extra medications and a change of clothes. 

Another thing drivers can do is have their vehicles inspected including: 

• Battery  
• Lights  
• Break system  
• Tires  
• Windshield wipers and wash fluid  

O'Riordan also said to allow extra time to warm up the vehicle before driving in freezing temperatures. 

"We want that entire windshield and the side windows as well as the back window defrosted and clear," O'Riordan said.   

She said it's important to drive slowly,  increasing the following distance from the car in front of you and give yourself extra drive time to get to your destination.   

Should you start to slide on ice or snow, stay calm.  

"If you do start to skid, don't slam on the breaks," O'Riordan said. "You want to make sure the first thing that you do is come off that accelerator and try to steer as much as you can in the direction that you want to go."  

If you find yourself in a crash, O'Riordan said remain buckled and stay in your vehicle. If you need to get out of the car, make sure you are as far away from it as possible. If you are able to move over and off the roadway, make sure your hazard lights are on. AAA also recommends using flares or emergency reflective triangles to give other vehicles more of a chance to see you.  

"We've seen too many times that people are pulled over to the side of the road and they're hit again, or our troopers and emergency personnel are hit because people are not paying attention," O'Riordan said.  

She adds it's important to move over and be mindful or any emergency vehicles on the road or crews that are out working to clear the roads.