AAA offers tips for driving in snow and ice

Carry an emergency kit including jumper cables, ice scraper, snow brush, warm clothing, windshield washer solvent, working flashlight, orange triangles or flares, bag of abrasive material such as clay-based kitty litter or sand, first aid kit with extra bandages and, most importantly, a cellular telephone with charger cord.

If you have a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, place added weight in the car trunk or pickup bed for greater traction. Cinder blocks or bags of sand work well.

Clear off all windows and turn your lights on.

 AS YOU ARE DRIVING

Remember that bridges and overpasses ice up first.

Anticipate the flow of traffic to avoid sudden stops or quick lane changes.

Increase following distances to eight to ten seconds.

All vehicles take about the same distance to stop, whether 4-wheel drive or not.

Do not use cruise control when driving on wet or icy roadways.

If you start to skid, don’t panic, let up on the brake or accelerator and look and steer in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go.

Your vehicle’s traction is greatest just before your wheels start to spin.