OHIO — It's not winter yet, but wintry weather is already starting to make an appearance in the Buckeye State.
After weeks of unseasonably mild weather, Ohio's first bout of winter-like weather is moving in Wednesday into Thursday. At first, there will be rain, gusty winds and a drop in temperature. Then on Thursday, Ohioans will see some snow. For the latest forecast, click here.
Nearly half a million crashes happen in bad weather and winter storms, according to the American Automobile Association. There's also more than 2,000 road deaths every winter.
In Ohio, from the winter in 2021 to 2022, there were more than 12,000 crashes on snow, ice or slush-covered roads, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
To ensure safety in the winter or any other types of bad weather, AAA has a list of tips for drivers.
- Keep cold-weather gear in the car: warm clothing, extra food and water, a flashlight and blankets
- Check your tires to make sure they're properly inflated and have a thick tread
- Keep the gas tank at least half full
- Don't warm up your car in enclosed areas, such as a garage
- Avoid cruise control if roads are covered in snow and ice
- Stay home if you can and only go out if necessary
- Take your time and slow down
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly, which helps the car gain traction and avoid sliding
- Increase your following distance to five to six seconds, that way you have more time to stop
- Try not to come to a complete stop if possible; if you slow down enough and have enough time to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, it's the better option.
- Don't floor it up hills, as it could cause your wheels to spin
- Don’t stop going up a hill
- Have your vehicle checked before hitting the road
- Check the weather beforehand
- Notify others of your travels in case of emergency
- If you get stuck in the snow, stay with your vehicle, don't overexert yourself by digging out the car and be visible to others (use bright colored clothing)
- Make sure snow isn't clogging the exhaust pipe, because if it does, it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning