CAA urges drivers to prepare ahead as winter weather hits

With the white stuff not going away anytime soon, winter driving experts are urging us to prepare as much as possible ahead of time.

CHCH News spoke to drivers this afternoon who say they are pretty much prepared for what’s to come in this blast of winter-like weather. But experts at CAA are saying a little prep goes a long way.

There’s no avoiding it, winter driving is a fact of life in Canada. But preparing your car inside and out can make your trips down the highway a lot smoother.

“I think with any kind of winter driving or inclement weather that we’re going to be seeing over the next few months, it’s really about planning and preparing as much as you can ahead of time,” said Nadia Matos, manager at CAA.

Hamilton drivers know this routine down pat. And if the weather gets too much, some said they make it a pyjama day and stay home.

“I put my snow tires on, I make sure that I have a gas tank full of gas,” said one Hamiltonian.

“I have my first aid kit, I have a blanket. That’s basically all I have currently in my car right now. So, you know, usually have snacks just in case. I usually just make sure that we are prepared for safety and just to keep warm,” said another man.

“I’m 90 and I’ve been driving since I was 14 and I’ve had no problems,” said local resident, Bruce.

This is because Bruce escapes to Florida any chance he can.

Experts at CAA say that when you are getting prepared for winter driving, you should not only think of the outside and inside of your car, but what’s in your trunk – like windshield wiper fluid, extra water and snacks.

CAA says you want to think about things that will keep you warm and nourished in case you are caught in an emergency like car trouble or the highway shuts down.

“Throw an extra blanket in there — or two. You want to really stay warm. Then, of course, you never know what’s going to happen, so some non-perishable food items and some water. In my kit here I have a couple power bars, I have some water,” said Matos.

And one extra note, CAA says your car battery only lasts about three to five years so they recommend getting it checked when you get your winter tires put on.

WATCH MORE: Local communities ‘prepare for anything’ as winter storms loom over GTHA