Remember Winter Storm Harper that hit western and central New York the weekend of January 19th? It was our first winter storm in 2019, and it didn’t disappoint! At AAA Western and Central New York, we’re always keeping an eye on the weather – especially during the winter months. So naturally, by the time this storm hit, we were fully prepared to help drivers!

From Friday afternoon through Tuesday, we handled more than 12,000 calls! On Monday, January 21st alone, we helped 4,245 motorists. The most common reason for requesting roadside assistance wasn’t for tow service, like you might expect, but for dead batteries! More than 57 percent of all roadside assistance calls were for battery service. On a normal winter day, that number is usually closer to 30 percent. We had “all hands on deck” with associates from across the Club taking calls and assisting members.

Winter isn’t over yet! So what can you do to prepare for the next storm?

• HAVE YOUR BATTERY TESTED. A car battery loses a third of its power in freezing weather! And we sure have had a lot of that, lately. Have the battery inspected at every oil change to avoid a dead battery at an inconvenient time.

• CHECK YOUR TIRES. Worn tires can affect a driver’s ability to stop in slick conditions. Check for wear is by inserting a quarter into your tread groove. If the top of Washington's head is exposed, it’s time to replace your tires.

• REPLACE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES. Think of all the ice and snow they have to push around in the winter!

• PACK AN EMERGENCY KIT. The kit should include a cellphone charger, sand or kitty litter, a small shovel, flashlight, an ice scraper, jumper cables, a blanket, gloves or mittens and snacks and water.

• GET A CAR WASH. Frequently washing your vehicle (including the undercarriage) to loosen, dissolve and neutralize road salts can help prevent rust damage.

• DOWNLOAD THE AAA MOBILE APP. Did you know you can request roadside assistance through our mobile app

  DOWNLOAD THE APP