January 2021 Press Release

Is your car ready for 2021? Are you prepared for a roadside emergency? According to AAA, 40% of Americans do not have an emergency car kit in their vehicle. Here are a few suggestions from AAA what to have in your car to be prepared for a winter roadside emergency:

• First Aid Kit
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Rags, Paper towels, or pre-moistened wipes
• Drinking water/snacks for everyone in the car, including pets
• Warm gloves, clothes, hats and blankets
• Basic toolkit including duct tape and warning devices such as flares or reflective triangles
• Ice scraper/snow brush
• Jumper cables/jump pack
• Traction aids such as salt, sand, or non-clumping cat litter
• Mobile phone and charger
• Winter windshield washer solvent
• Tarp, raincoat and gloves
• Shovel

Other things to remember about your vehicle:

• Oil changes:  A cars oil may not need changing every 3,000 miles.  Many newer vehicles can go much longer between oil changes.  Check your owner's manual to determine what's best for your car.
• Tires:  Once a month, check tire pressure and tread depth for all your tires, including the spare.
• Battery:  Ensure cable connections are tight and the terminals are free of corrosion.  Batteries that are more than three years old should be tested to determine how much life is left.  
• Wiper blades:  Wiper blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe and check to make sure the windshield reservoir is always filled.

One more important part, if you are involved in a crash, stay in your vehicle. Get your car off the road and into a breakdown lane if possible, turn your blinkers on and wait for assistance. The protection afforded by your vehicle is highly preferable to being outside and vulnerable. Keep in mind that if your vehicle or another hit a slick spot that caused the accident, it’s just as likely that another vehicle could lose control as it comes along. If you have to leave your car, get as far away from traffic as you can. Remember that even standing in front of your vehicle is a recipe for disaster, should another car strike it from behind.

For More Information:
Lt. Angel Burgos, Ohio State Highway Patrol: 419-352-2481
Sandy Wiechman, Safe Communities Coordinator: 419-372-9353 or swiechm@bgsu.edu
AAA Traffic Safety online at https://cluballiance.aaa.com/traffic-safety