COLUMBUS – Central Ohio is due for its first good taste of winter weather this weekend with the promise of snow, cold and difficult driving conditions.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory, in effect for central Ohio from 7:00 a.m. Saturday until 7:00 a.m. Sunday and is predicting total snow accumulations of 4 to 6 inches.
The first significant snow of the season is expected on Saturday! For the latest updates, including warnings and advisories for your area, be sure to see our website at https://t.co/HTL8SR8ayJ pic.twitter.com/yhFFVg0MPn
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) January 11, 2019
State crews have pre-treated Central Ohio roadways with brine, which is a mixture of salt and water, and 130 Department of Transportation crews will report for duty around 6:00 a.m. Saturday expecting to work 12-hour shifts around the clock until the snow has stopped, officials said.
The arrival of wintry driving conditions has prompted safety warnings from the auto club AAA Ohio since winter storms and slick road conditions are a factor in more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s report Motor Vehicle Crashes, Injuries and Deaths in Relation to Weather Conditions.
“There is a disproportionate number of crashes this time of year involving bad weather and winter storms. Snow and sleet can cause significant safety problems by reducing visibility and making it difficult to safely maneuver or stop your vehicle,” said Kellie O’Riordan, the club’s traffic safety program manager.
More than 39,000 Ohio drivers crashed on wet or slick roads during the winter of 2017-18, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation, and the AAA’s report found that the highest proportion of crashes involving inclement weather happen during the 12 hours between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
“That’s because you have dark roadways, visibility is limited and the roads are most likely to freeze at night,” senior public relations manager Kim Schwind said.
Winter driving safety:
Adjust speed to account for lower traction on snow or ice
Accelerate and decelerate slowly
Allow 5-6 seconds following distance
Don’t pump the brakes
Replace old windshield wipers and solvent
Source: AAA
Schwind says AAA’s roadside assistance calls often double or triple during cold and snow. Between Dec. 21, 2017 and March 19, 2018, the auto club responded to more than 276,000 calls, most for tows and dead batteries.
To avoid breakdowns, motorists should maintain their tires and have their batteries inspected at least twice a year, Schwind said.