Now That You Got A Taste Of Winter ...

While the first snowfall of the preseason is history, AAA recommends the following tips for driving on snow/iced covered roads: 

• Try to avoid driving when visibility is poor; if you must drive, keep your speed low, headlights on low beam and pull off to a safe spot as soon as possible. 

• Normal following distance for dry pavement -- three to four seconds -- should be increased to eight to 10 seconds when driving on icy, slippery surfaces. On a four-lane highway, stay in the lane that has been cleared most recently. Avoid changing lanes because of potential control loss when driving over built-up snow between lanes. 

• Snowy or icy surfaces make steering difficult and require smooth, careful, precise movements of the steering wheel. Always look and steer in the direction where you want to go. 

• Stopping on a slippery surface requires longer visibility, following and stopping distances about twice the distance required on ice at zero degrees than what is required at 32 degrees, so slow down and allow more distance between you and the vehicle in front of you -- about an eight to 10 second gap. 

• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface. 

• Pull over to a safe place to talk on the phone, text message, or e-mail.

• Make sure all passengers are buckled in the appropriate restraint system every time you get in your vehicle.