Deadly Weather?

AAA: More Fatal Crashes on Dry Roads 

With multiple fatal crashes making headlines during the first two weeks of the year, AAA is reminding motorists that, according to previous research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the most deadly weather is not when it snows or rains, but when conditions are clear and dry.

“While there may be a sense of relief that the ‘deadly’ snowstorm blanketing the middle of the country has not made its way north, the truth is drivers and their passengers may be at greater risk on our dry roads here in Connecticut,” says Amy Parmenter, spokesperson for AAA in Greater Hartford.

According to police, recent fatal crashes in Connecticut include a double fatal in Stonington, a tractor-trailer crash in Milford and a rollover crash in Suffield.

“Although we don’t know for sure the cause of each of these crashes, we do know that it doesn’t have to be snowing to be dangerous on our roads”, Parmenter says.

According to the State Medical Examiner’s office, there were more than 300 fatal crashes on Connecticut’s roadways in 2018.

AAA is encouraging drivers to:

• Slow down
• Drive defensively
• Limit distractions
• Never get behind the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Don’t drive when you are feeling tired
• Adjust driving behaviors for conditions

Motorists are also reminded to have a fully stocked winter emergency kit on hand so, in the event of a crash or breakdown, they and their passengers are able to remain safe and warm while waiting for help to arrive.

Winter Emergency Kit includes:

Fully charged cellphone, cellphone charger, snowbrush, de-icer, shovel, kitty liter, bright triangle or reflector, first aid kit, water, snacks.

AAA is also reminding its members to program the AAA HELP number and their AAA membership number into their cellphones so they will quickly know who to call in the event of a roadside emergency.

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