VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Officials warn drivers of dangerous road conditions in midst of winter storm
Lauren Holdmeyer: Central New York is officially transitioning into the winter season, and officials are urging drivers to stay alert for dangerous road conditions that are expected during this week’s winter storm, in particular.
Valerie Puma: If you must drive, just making sure that you’re keeping your speed low, using your low-beam headlights and pulling off to a safe spot if conditions do worsen.
Holdmeyer: AAA is already reporting an increased call volume for those needing help on the road, and are expecting that demand to soar as the first winter storm of the season takes effect.
Puma: It’s been several months since the last time we had really crazy winter weather, but when you’re driving in snow, slush, ice, you want to make sure that you are slowing breaking before making that big turn.
Holdmeyer: Some drivers who were out today spoke about concerns they’re having. Andriy Gura says while conditions weren’t too bad today, he’s worried about what’s to come.
Andriy Gura: I know it’s not going to be fun. I’m kind of scared, myself, to drive in the snow, so I got all my groceries.
Holdmeyer: As you can tell from the many cars around me, the road conditions didn’t stop people from coming out and driving today. But AAA recommends using caution even when it seems like the roads are fine to drive on.
Puma: Knowing where you’re going and knowing which roads you’re going to take, more popular roads like city streets or highways where they’re more likely to be plowed is going to be really helpful during the winter season.
Holdmeyer: AAA has several additional tips to help drivers navigate wintery roads, including practicing smoother turns and brakes, increasing the distance between other cars on the road, and keeping an emergency kit in the car, just in case.
Puma: It’s an important conversation to have. We want to make sure that everybody is as safe as possible and gets home safely at the end of the day.
Holdmeyer: In Syracuse, Lauren Holdmeyer, NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — As Central New York enters the winter season, officials are beginning to warn about the dangerous road conditions that come as an effect of winter storms. AAA of Western and Central New York issued a warning to drivers across the region this week ahead of the large snow storm that hit many areas upstate.
“If you must drive, just making sure that you’re keeping your speed low, using your low-beam headlights and pulling off to a safe spot if conditions do worsen,” Valeria Puma from AAA said.
AAA was already reporting an increased call-for-help rate Thursday morning, even before the bulk of the storm hit. Puma said that since it’s been several months since drivers in Central New York have had to face wintery road conditions, it’s even more important to remember safety tips for navigating wintery roads.
“When you’re driving in snow, slush, ice, you want to make sure that you are slowing breaking before making that big turn,” Puma said. “Knowing where you’re going and knowing which roads you’re going to take, more popular roads like city streets or highways where they’re more likely to be plowed is going to be really helpful during the winter season.”
AAA has several other tips to help drivers ensure a safer commute this winter season, including practicing smoother turns and brakes, increasing the distance between other cars on the road, and keeping an emergency kit in the car, just in case.