1 00:00:07,920 --> 00:00:12,039 Speaker 1: From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend. 2 00:00:12,320 --> 00:00:14,600 Speaker 1: Each week right here, we come together and talk about 3 00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:17,040 Speaker 1: all the topics important to you and the place where 4 00:00:17,079 --> 00:00:19,160 Speaker 1: you live. Great to have you with us this week. 5 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:22,440 Speaker 1: I'm Nicole Davis. Well, the cold weather's officially here. I 6 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:25,200 Speaker 1: think that we can now say with the winter solstice 7 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 1: this weekend, and with the meteorological winter a few weeks 8 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 1: underway at this point, we are now very much in 9 00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:34,960 Speaker 1: a chilly weather season when it comes to preparing yourself 10 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:36,519 Speaker 1: for that. Not only do you have to get out 11 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:39,320 Speaker 1: your winter clothes and your boots and all the nice 12 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: warm drinks, you also have to make sure your car 13 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:44,519 Speaker 1: or your truck or whatever vehicle you drive is in 14 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:47,160 Speaker 1: good shape as well. There are a lot of things 15 00:00:47,159 --> 00:00:49,520 Speaker 1: you need to think about that you may not consider 16 00:00:49,560 --> 00:00:51,760 Speaker 1: as we get into these cold months. And that is 17 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:54,160 Speaker 1: why we've got Mark Shield drop back on the show. 18 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:57,120 Speaker 1: He is the senior spokesman at TRIPAA Northeast in Providence. 19 00:00:57,600 --> 00:00:59,680 Speaker 1: Mark is a wealth of info on this stuff, so 20 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:02,880 Speaker 1: it's great to have you back. Honestly, I'm just going 21 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:05,200 Speaker 1: to be straight up about this. Everything going on around 22 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:08,959 Speaker 1: the holiday and otherwise I just kind of forget about this. 23 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:12,240 Speaker 1: Sometimes it's easy to just hop in the car and drive. 24 00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:15,920 Speaker 2: Nowadays, modern cars are pretty durable and reliable, so we 25 00:01:15,959 --> 00:01:19,000 Speaker 2: can sometimes be coaxed into thinking that our cars are 26 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:22,039 Speaker 2: sanctuary when it's cold out. But if we have a breakdown, 27 00:01:22,400 --> 00:01:24,520 Speaker 2: you're going to wish you had a good set of 28 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:28,200 Speaker 2: blankets and extra warm clothing. If you have to wait 29 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:31,360 Speaker 2: for a roadside assistance and you're in the cold, you're 30 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 2: going to appreciate having an extra set of gloves, a hat, 31 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:38,080 Speaker 2: maybe scarves in that car or in that trunk with 32 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:41,000 Speaker 2: you to keep you warm where you're waiting for help. 33 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:45,360 Speaker 2: A flashlight with extra batteries is always a good thing 34 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:46,319 Speaker 2: to have as well. 35 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:48,200 Speaker 3: And then I'm thinking if you. 36 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:50,920 Speaker 2: Get stuck on the roadside, so you get caught in 37 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:53,640 Speaker 2: a little bit of a snowbank, you're in an area 38 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 2: where you think you can dig yourself out, you're going 39 00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:58,800 Speaker 2: to wish you had a shovel. A small hand shovel 40 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:02,360 Speaker 2: can go a long way. An ice scraper with a brush, 41 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:06,680 Speaker 2: which is very important to clear your car off when 42 00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:09,959 Speaker 2: you start during the day. But you may find yourself 43 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:12,320 Speaker 2: a part in a place where there's a little bit 44 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:15,080 Speaker 2: of snowfall unexpectedly and you come to your vehicle and 45 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 2: you have to clear snow from that vehicle before you 46 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:20,079 Speaker 2: drive off. So you want to have those tools handy 47 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:23,040 Speaker 2: in your vehicle as well as at home in your garage. 48 00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 3: A good set of jumper cables. 49 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:27,400 Speaker 2: If you need to jump from somebody, it's nice to 50 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:29,720 Speaker 2: be that person who has the jumper cables all already. 51 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:34,720 Speaker 2: You can maybe help another stranded motorists along the roadside too, 52 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:37,640 Speaker 2: if you see a breakdown or if somebody approaches you 53 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:41,079 Speaker 2: needing a jump, it's nice to have those jumper cables. 54 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:43,440 Speaker 2: And the other thing I think is really important is 55 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 2: just an emergency kit, so that first aid kit which 56 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:51,519 Speaker 2: is helpful, but a reflective vest, high visibility clothing that's 57 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:54,600 Speaker 2: really important. If you're working on your vehicle on the roadside, 58 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 2: you want to be seen. We have less daylight in 59 00:02:57,320 --> 00:03:01,240 Speaker 2: the winter, so the concern about visibility if you're a 60 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:04,960 Speaker 2: stranded motorist, it's really significant. There's a lot of crashes 61 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 2: that happen on the roadside and we want to be 62 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:13,079 Speaker 2: seen sooner than later as vehicles approach. Those are really 63 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:15,880 Speaker 2: the top things you can really go down the rabbit 64 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:20,639 Speaker 2: hole of accessories for the roadside, like flares or warning lights, 65 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:24,400 Speaker 2: reflective triangles. There are some new devices now that use 66 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:27,600 Speaker 2: led lights, so instead of your little triangle you have 67 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:30,320 Speaker 2: to prop up that might get blown over. They sell 68 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:35,160 Speaker 2: very small little lights that will flash yellow warning and 69 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 2: you simply turn that on toss it on the road 70 00:03:37,640 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 2: side while your vehicles on the roadside. That can greatly 71 00:03:41,960 --> 00:03:43,480 Speaker 2: improve visibility for sure. 72 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:45,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, you talk about being broken down on the side 73 00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:48,839 Speaker 1: of the road when it's cold outside, I know the 74 00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 1: only thing you want to do is stay warm, But unfortunately, 75 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:54,640 Speaker 1: if you're in like a breakdown lane and sort of 76 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:58,000 Speaker 1: straddling a travel lane, it's probably best just to get 77 00:03:58,040 --> 00:03:59,880 Speaker 1: out of the car and move away, correct. 78 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 3: Yeah. 79 00:04:00,320 --> 00:04:04,680 Speaker 2: Absolutely, roadside crashes are a growing problem in the country. 80 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:09,320 Speaker 2: We're seeing more every year, and stranded motorists are often 81 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:13,320 Speaker 2: in a really precarious situation on the roadside. So every 82 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 2: area is different, so you kind of have to scope 83 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:16,160 Speaker 2: the scene out. 84 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:18,000 Speaker 3: If you can maneuver your. 85 00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:21,240 Speaker 2: Vehicle so it's well away from oncoming traffic, if there's 86 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:25,960 Speaker 2: some barrier between yourself and oncoming traffic, then you can 87 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:29,000 Speaker 2: maybe stay in the car. Oftentimes we say staying in 88 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:32,599 Speaker 2: the car is safer, especially if you're wearing your seatbelt, 89 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:35,440 Speaker 2: because you're going to benefit from all this safety technology 90 00:04:35,440 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 2: in that vehicle, all the vehicle crumple zones. But getting 91 00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 2: outside of your vehicle in a way from danger is 92 00:04:42,720 --> 00:04:45,919 Speaker 2: often advisable, So you kind of have to make that 93 00:04:46,040 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 2: judgment call depending on where you're located, how much traffic 94 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:52,560 Speaker 2: is going by, how fast that traffic is going by, 95 00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:56,840 Speaker 2: and whether you can remove yourself from danger or get 96 00:04:56,839 --> 00:05:01,640 Speaker 2: to a place where you have a barrier between yourself 97 00:05:01,680 --> 00:05:06,599 Speaker 2: and other vehicles. So there's really no perfect answer for that. 98 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:09,320 Speaker 2: You kind of have to use your best judgment, which 99 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:10,919 Speaker 2: can be tricky, but you're right. In the winter, we 100 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:13,920 Speaker 2: want to stay warm, and if it's very cold out 101 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 2: and your vehicle is warmer than the outside elements. That's 102 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 2: a tough call to make sometimes because it's tough to 103 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:25,000 Speaker 2: know exactly the best decision in those situations. But really 104 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:28,880 Speaker 2: safety should be first on your list, maybe a. 105 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:30,120 Speaker 3: Little bit before comfort. 106 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:32,360 Speaker 2: But we certainly don't want to risk our health as well, 107 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 2: because that is a safety concern outside the vehicle, especially 108 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 2: in extreme conditions. 109 00:05:37,160 --> 00:05:39,800 Speaker 1: Absolutely, so let's talk about how to make sure you 110 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:42,480 Speaker 1: have the best chance of that car not breaking down 111 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:45,440 Speaker 1: in the first place, skidding and hitting a deer. You 112 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:47,400 Speaker 1: can only do so much about that. But let's talk 113 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:50,440 Speaker 1: about winter vehicle prep. We have all the stuff in 114 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 1: the trunk in the backseat, we're good to go. We 115 00:05:52,279 --> 00:05:55,280 Speaker 1: got our chocolate bars and ready for whatever. But the 116 00:05:55,320 --> 00:05:57,919 Speaker 1: car needs to be nourished too. So what should we 117 00:05:57,960 --> 00:06:00,320 Speaker 1: be focusing on right now as we get into winter 118 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:01,040 Speaker 1: for our cars. 119 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:03,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, winter can be really tough on our vehicles, so 120 00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:06,760 Speaker 2: staying on top of that. Regular routine maintenance is critical 121 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:10,320 Speaker 2: in the cold conditions. Our engines work harder, our break 122 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 2: breaks work harder, our cooling system works hard as well. 123 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:17,760 Speaker 2: So we want to make sure our fluids are in 124 00:06:17,839 --> 00:06:21,080 Speaker 2: good condition. We've had good oil changes, we've stayed on 125 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 2: top of that. We've topped off any fluids that are needed. 126 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:27,240 Speaker 2: But really the number one thing in terms of what 127 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 2: causes roadside assistance calls that triple A is by and large, 128 00:06:31,160 --> 00:06:34,680 Speaker 2: the battery. The batteries wear out the most in the winter. 129 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:37,040 Speaker 2: It's that heat from the I'm sorry, they wear out 130 00:06:37,080 --> 00:06:39,200 Speaker 2: most in the summer. It's the heat from the summer 131 00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:42,760 Speaker 2: that cooks our batteries over those months but we don't 132 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:46,200 Speaker 2: really notice that our batteries have degraded until the winter, 133 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:51,000 Speaker 2: especially during those first cold snaps, so we get more 134 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:53,560 Speaker 2: roadside assistance calls for dead batteries in the winter than 135 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:57,520 Speaker 2: anything else. If your batteries going on in age and 136 00:06:57,680 --> 00:07:01,359 Speaker 2: a battery it usually starts to wear out between four 137 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:04,440 Speaker 2: and six years, so if your battery is pushing that 138 00:07:04,760 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 2: age envelope, it may be time to get that battery 139 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:12,280 Speaker 2: tested and replaced before the winter weather really takes hold. 140 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:18,200 Speaker 2: So in the winter, a battery loses about thirty five 141 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:22,240 Speaker 2: percent of its charge in when temperatures are at below 142 00:07:22,360 --> 00:07:26,120 Speaker 2: thirty two degrees, But a vehicle sitting in the cold 143 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:29,920 Speaker 2: at freezing is going to need about fifty percent more 144 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:32,560 Speaker 2: energy just to turn that engine over and get it started. 145 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:35,280 Speaker 2: So your battery is weaker and you need more power 146 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:37,400 Speaker 2: in the winter to start your vehicle. So that's why 147 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:40,200 Speaker 2: we see so many people with a dead battery in 148 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 2: the morning, so they're running late for work as a 149 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:45,120 Speaker 2: car won't start. A jump start can get you back 150 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:48,440 Speaker 2: on the road, but if your batteries worn out, you're 151 00:07:48,440 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 2: just going to be back in the same situation again. 152 00:07:51,240 --> 00:07:54,520 Speaker 2: So after about five or six years, it's going to 153 00:07:54,520 --> 00:07:56,480 Speaker 2: be time to replace the battery. If you're a Triple 154 00:07:56,520 --> 00:07:59,560 Speaker 2: A member, we have the Battery Service which will come 155 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 2: to your house. 156 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:03,160 Speaker 3: We'll hook the battery up to a meter. 157 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 2: It'll test the battery for you and tell you if 158 00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:08,640 Speaker 2: it's just depleted it needs a good charge, or if 159 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:12,440 Speaker 2: it's two weak and basically needs to be replaced. So 160 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:14,760 Speaker 2: that's really the number one thing to focus on in 161 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:17,600 Speaker 2: the winter, on top of your regular maintenance is the 162 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:21,120 Speaker 2: battery and the charging system. So if your battery is 163 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:23,160 Speaker 2: a little bit younger, you want to pop that who 164 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 2: take a look at it, make sure. 165 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:27,640 Speaker 3: The terminals aren't dirty or corroded. If there's any oil 166 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:28,760 Speaker 3: spots on the battery. 167 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 2: You want to make sure that battery is clean and 168 00:08:31,880 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 2: the connections are secure, and then consider replacing the battery 169 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:35,719 Speaker 2: it's dead. 170 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:36,600 Speaker 3: The other thing is. 171 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 2: Tires in the winter, we really rely on our tires 172 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:43,960 Speaker 2: to maintain traction. When it's cold out, tires tend to 173 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:47,360 Speaker 2: burm up and are a little harder, so our brakes 174 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:49,400 Speaker 2: are going to work harder to stop our vehicles in 175 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:51,960 Speaker 2: the cold. You want to make sure your tire treads 176 00:08:52,040 --> 00:08:55,200 Speaker 2: are up for the task of winter driving. A good 177 00:08:55,360 --> 00:08:57,960 Speaker 2: way to test that is by sticking a quarter in 178 00:08:58,040 --> 00:09:01,120 Speaker 2: the tire treads. And if you can see George Washington's 179 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 2: head above the end of that tire tread, that's a 180 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 2: sign that you need to get those tires replaced. The 181 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:11,559 Speaker 2: tires are really a key safety component for our vehicles. 182 00:09:11,559 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 2: It's safety equipment as much as they are essential for 183 00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 2: just getting along. 184 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:18,440 Speaker 1: And I know that when we have these first few 185 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:21,800 Speaker 1: cold days. It happened to me last week. You turn 186 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:23,679 Speaker 1: on the car in the morning and all of a sudden, 187 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:26,760 Speaker 1: your tire light is on, and you're like, my tires 188 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:29,679 Speaker 1: were fine yesterday. I have not driven over a screw. 189 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:32,760 Speaker 1: I'm pretty sure these are good. This is normal to 190 00:09:32,880 --> 00:09:35,600 Speaker 1: happen in these first few cold weeks because of the 191 00:09:35,640 --> 00:09:39,360 Speaker 1: you know, the pressure expanding and contracting, because of these 192 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:40,800 Speaker 1: crazy swings that we have around here. 193 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:44,960 Speaker 2: Weatherwise, absolutely, you lose about one psi for every ten 194 00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:48,160 Speaker 2: degrees that it gets colder. So that first cold snap 195 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:50,200 Speaker 2: is when we're going to see that low tire pressure 196 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:53,400 Speaker 2: warning light. For sure, tires do lose a little bit 197 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:56,199 Speaker 2: of air very gradually over time, so you do need 198 00:09:56,240 --> 00:10:00,559 Speaker 2: to top up your air pressure pretty regularly every few months. 199 00:10:00,559 --> 00:10:02,720 Speaker 2: But when we get those cold snaps and then these 200 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:07,400 Speaker 2: cold swings, our tire pressure really can fluctuate pretty dramatically. 201 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:11,240 Speaker 2: So it's a good idea in the winter. Every couple 202 00:10:11,240 --> 00:10:13,200 Speaker 2: of weeks, when you fill up your gas, pull up 203 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:17,480 Speaker 2: to that air pressure machine and top off your PSI 204 00:10:18,080 --> 00:10:20,440 Speaker 2: and you can find out what your tire pressure should 205 00:10:20,440 --> 00:10:24,040 Speaker 2: be by opening your driver's side door and looking along 206 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:27,719 Speaker 2: the door panel. There there's a sticker that tells you 207 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:30,800 Speaker 2: what your PSI should be. Sometimes it's a little different 208 00:10:30,800 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 2: for your front and rear tires may have a difference 209 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:36,160 Speaker 2: of a few psis. You want to double check that 210 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:41,880 Speaker 2: and build the tires to the recommended pressure. And that's 211 00:10:41,920 --> 00:10:45,559 Speaker 2: important for traction, but also to prolong the life of 212 00:10:45,559 --> 00:10:51,720 Speaker 2: your tires. Worn tires or uneven tire pressure can speed 213 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:56,080 Speaker 2: up tire wear and that will make you hit the 214 00:10:56,120 --> 00:10:57,640 Speaker 2: tire shop sooner than you'd like. 215 00:10:57,880 --> 00:11:01,160 Speaker 1: And nobody wants that. Considering tires are not cheap. They 216 00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:02,720 Speaker 1: never were, they're certainly not now. 217 00:11:02,920 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 2: No, absolutely, you want to talk about. 218 00:11:04,960 --> 00:11:08,640 Speaker 1: Tires, snow tires, Do you really need them around here? 219 00:11:08,920 --> 00:11:10,760 Speaker 1: I guess it depends on where you live. But I mean, 220 00:11:10,880 --> 00:11:12,679 Speaker 1: let's talk about snow tires for a minute. 221 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:14,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's a really good question. 222 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:17,959 Speaker 2: So snow tires, it really depends on where you live 223 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:20,840 Speaker 2: and Massachusetts, believe it or not, anybody who lives here 224 00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:23,720 Speaker 2: knows that we have dramatically different climates throughout the state. 225 00:11:23,880 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 2: So if you're living in the Berkshires in the mountains 226 00:11:27,280 --> 00:11:30,199 Speaker 2: and you're getting a lot more snow, snow tires may 227 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:32,560 Speaker 2: not be a bad idea at all. And even parts 228 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:38,439 Speaker 2: of central and northern Massachusetts have a worse winter weather 229 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:41,720 Speaker 2: than in the Boston metro area, where the ocean really 230 00:11:41,760 --> 00:11:45,320 Speaker 2: has a significant influence on our local climate. So it 231 00:11:45,360 --> 00:11:47,760 Speaker 2: depends on where you live. In some parts of the state, 232 00:11:47,920 --> 00:11:51,080 Speaker 2: winter tires will definitely give you a benefit. But I 233 00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:54,400 Speaker 2: would argue that a really good set of all season 234 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:56,640 Speaker 2: tires is more than enough for the job for the 235 00:11:56,720 --> 00:12:01,439 Speaker 2: vast majority of drivers, and a new set of good 236 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:05,040 Speaker 2: all season tires is preferable to a worn out set 237 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:08,439 Speaker 2: of winter tires. So if you have a set of 238 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:11,480 Speaker 2: winter tires that you've been using, that's great, but a 239 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:13,880 Speaker 2: good set of all season tires should be more than enough. 240 00:12:13,960 --> 00:12:16,880 Speaker 2: Unless you're driving in the snow a lot, then winter 241 00:12:16,960 --> 00:12:21,240 Speaker 2: tires will be really a beneficial investment for you because 242 00:12:21,280 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 2: you're going to have better traction, you're going to have 243 00:12:23,920 --> 00:12:26,120 Speaker 2: less problems in the snow, and you're going to be 244 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:29,560 Speaker 2: much safer because the stopping distances with winter tires, even 245 00:12:29,559 --> 00:12:32,760 Speaker 2: in cold temperatures, not just on the snow, but just 246 00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:35,800 Speaker 2: on cold pavement, winter tires will give you better traction 247 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:39,960 Speaker 2: and shorter stopping distances. It's really important not to drive 248 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 2: with those winter tires beyond the really cold months because 249 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 2: they will wear out much faster once it warms up. 250 00:12:46,160 --> 00:12:49,400 Speaker 2: Winter tires are a much softer compound, which is great 251 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:52,120 Speaker 2: for traction in the severe cold, but in the warmer 252 00:12:52,160 --> 00:12:55,640 Speaker 2: weather they will rapidly wear out if you're driving them 253 00:12:55,720 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 2: past spring. 254 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:00,000 Speaker 1: And every icy road in the Commonwealth is going to 255 00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:02,120 Speaker 1: laugh at you because it doesn't matter what kind of 256 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:05,480 Speaker 1: tires you have. Ice doesn't care. You can just slip 257 00:13:05,520 --> 00:13:06,600 Speaker 1: no matter what's going on. 258 00:13:06,920 --> 00:13:10,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's right. I mean some conditions really very few 259 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:13,880 Speaker 2: technologies will overcome, and ice is one of those things. 260 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:18,280 Speaker 2: Studded tires, which are not legal in many places, are 261 00:13:18,320 --> 00:13:20,720 Speaker 2: really the only way to guarantee really good traction in 262 00:13:20,760 --> 00:13:22,920 Speaker 2: the ice. If you're driving and you see ice you 263 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:26,320 Speaker 2: know that's a concern. You want to moderate your speed 264 00:13:26,360 --> 00:13:28,360 Speaker 2: as much as possible. Really, the best tip I can 265 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:31,080 Speaker 2: give is don't drive until the roads have been treated 266 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:34,120 Speaker 2: at the very least. And if you're driving and see 267 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 2: a patch of ice, lift your foot off the gas. 268 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:42,120 Speaker 2: Try to avoid aggressive maneuvers and try to prevent sliding. 269 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:46,320 Speaker 2: If you find yourself needing to apply the brakes, that's okay. 270 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:49,280 Speaker 2: Hold down those brakes, let the audit abs system do 271 00:13:49,360 --> 00:13:53,920 Speaker 2: its job. You're going to feel the brakes rapidly pulsating 272 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:57,240 Speaker 2: through the brake pedal. But remember you can still steer 273 00:13:57,520 --> 00:13:59,960 Speaker 2: while you're breaking. One of the biggest mistakes we make 274 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:02,840 Speaker 2: ach in emergency situations is we slam on the brakes 275 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:06,120 Speaker 2: and freeze up. Try to just remember that you can 276 00:14:06,120 --> 00:14:08,720 Speaker 2: still steer and try to direct the vehicle even if 277 00:14:08,720 --> 00:14:11,720 Speaker 2: you're holding down the brake pedal, hoping to avoid a collision. 278 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:14,120 Speaker 1: And then, of course, if you do find yourself spinning out, 279 00:14:14,600 --> 00:14:17,400 Speaker 1: turn in the direction of the spin or against the spin. 280 00:14:17,440 --> 00:14:19,120 Speaker 1: I can never remember, And it's a good thing we're 281 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:19,800 Speaker 1: talking about this. 282 00:14:20,400 --> 00:14:22,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's tricky. You know. 283 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:27,040 Speaker 2: There is general advice about turning yourself out of a skid. 284 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:30,720 Speaker 2: The advice we give these days, which I think is 285 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 2: more easily digestible or easier to follow, is just look 286 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:37,080 Speaker 2: in the direction you want to go and trust your instincts. 287 00:14:37,520 --> 00:14:41,280 Speaker 2: We have a real knack for our hands following our eyes. 288 00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:44,480 Speaker 2: That's why if someone's driving distracted, you can tell, just 289 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:47,440 Speaker 2: because their car will drift and then snap back into 290 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:50,360 Speaker 2: position in their lane as they're looking down at their phone. 291 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:52,560 Speaker 2: They're drifting and as soon as they look back up 292 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:56,040 Speaker 2: they straighten up. Well, in a skid, if you focus 293 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:57,800 Speaker 2: your eyes on where you want the car to go, 294 00:14:58,120 --> 00:15:00,840 Speaker 2: your hands are going to naturally turn the direction that 295 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:04,160 Speaker 2: you need to go, and that will help you get 296 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:08,240 Speaker 2: out of that skid. Lifting your foot off the gas 297 00:15:08,280 --> 00:15:13,880 Speaker 2: pedal and letting gravity and momentum hopefully do their job 298 00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:17,080 Speaker 2: that can help you get out of that skid. 299 00:15:17,240 --> 00:15:17,480 Speaker 3: Yeah. 300 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:19,800 Speaker 1: Look, it's fun to do donuts in the parking lot 301 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 1: and drive around and have a good time in the snow, 302 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:24,800 Speaker 1: but this is not the time of year to be 303 00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:26,560 Speaker 1: messing around on the roads by far. 304 00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:28,880 Speaker 3: It's just not no, absolutely know. 305 00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:33,400 Speaker 2: Even on a dry road in the cold, stopping distances 306 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:36,960 Speaker 2: can increase by anywhere from thirty to fifty percent. So 307 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:39,520 Speaker 2: if it's cold out, it doesn't have to be snowing 308 00:15:39,640 --> 00:15:42,680 Speaker 2: for conditions to require a change in your driving behavior. 309 00:15:42,840 --> 00:15:46,200 Speaker 2: So just go easy and at the very least, even 310 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:49,280 Speaker 2: a small collision can be costly. A small crash can 311 00:15:49,440 --> 00:15:52,360 Speaker 2: cost you thousands of dollars in repair bills, and your 312 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:57,160 Speaker 2: insurance rates can go up. It's a good idea to 313 00:15:57,200 --> 00:15:59,760 Speaker 2: focus on safety all year long, but especially in the 314 00:15:59,760 --> 00:16:05,160 Speaker 2: winter because the consequences are more significant. Increasing that following 315 00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:09,120 Speaker 2: distance driving with the philosophy that I'm going to create 316 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:11,120 Speaker 2: enough space in front of me that if somebody needs 317 00:16:11,160 --> 00:16:15,640 Speaker 2: to change lanes they can. If you're approaching a highway merge, 318 00:16:15,880 --> 00:16:18,680 Speaker 2: leaving a little extra space so people can merge, I 319 00:16:18,720 --> 00:16:21,120 Speaker 2: think we'll go a long way to reducing crashes and 320 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:24,560 Speaker 2: improving congestion. A lot of the backups we experience on 321 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:27,600 Speaker 2: a day to day basis are caused by people that 322 00:16:27,880 --> 00:16:31,920 Speaker 2: just don't follow far enough away. They're riding too close 323 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 2: to the people in front of them. That creates friction 324 00:16:34,320 --> 00:16:37,080 Speaker 2: on the roadway that causes people to tap their brake pedals. 325 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 2: Then we have a ripple effect of people slowing down, 326 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:41,720 Speaker 2: and next thing you know, we have a traffic jam. 327 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:44,680 Speaker 2: So just by driving a little slower, leaving a little 328 00:16:44,720 --> 00:16:47,680 Speaker 2: space will keep us safe and we'll get us to 329 00:16:47,760 --> 00:16:49,000 Speaker 2: our destinations more quickly. 330 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 3: Believe it or not, you do. 331 00:16:50,240 --> 00:16:52,320 Speaker 1: Not have to be king of the road. It's okay. 332 00:16:52,680 --> 00:16:55,160 Speaker 1: Just let them go. It's not worth the fight. 333 00:16:55,760 --> 00:16:58,320 Speaker 2: I know it's tough, you know, when you drive, it's 334 00:16:58,400 --> 00:17:00,560 Speaker 2: tough to keep your ego and check. It's easy to 335 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:06,479 Speaker 2: get frustrated. People will often do dangerous and frustrating things 336 00:17:06,520 --> 00:17:11,320 Speaker 2: all around you. It takes a mindset to understand that 337 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:13,439 Speaker 2: people are going to make mistakes, people are going to 338 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:16,320 Speaker 2: do the wrong thing. But I'm going to do the 339 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:18,520 Speaker 2: right thing and I'm going to stay calm and not 340 00:17:18,600 --> 00:17:21,160 Speaker 2: let everyone else on the road get under my skin. 341 00:17:22,320 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 2: It's difficult, but when we complain about traffic, it's easy 342 00:17:26,280 --> 00:17:28,600 Speaker 2: to forget that we are traffic as well. 343 00:17:29,160 --> 00:17:31,920 Speaker 1: So let's then talk about the resources that Triple A 344 00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 1: has for us in the winter time. I mean, clearly, 345 00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:36,919 Speaker 1: lots of great advice that you just gave us, But 346 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:38,800 Speaker 1: if people want to find out more, what do you 347 00:17:38,840 --> 00:17:40,640 Speaker 1: have to offer when it comes to this time of year? 348 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:41,120 Speaker 3: Yeah? 349 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:44,679 Speaker 2: Well, really, the roadside assistance is your life saver in 350 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:47,200 Speaker 2: the winter, and a lot of people they join Triple 351 00:17:47,240 --> 00:17:51,680 Speaker 2: A to have an easier time getting their driver's license renewed, 352 00:17:51,760 --> 00:17:53,959 Speaker 2: which is a great service we offer. But the roadside 353 00:17:53,960 --> 00:17:59,320 Speaker 2: assistance is absolutely an important insurance policy for you to have. 354 00:17:59,840 --> 00:18:02,439 Speaker 2: You have a breakdown. You know, it's great to know 355 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:05,400 Speaker 2: how to change your own tire and maintain your vehicle, 356 00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:09,600 Speaker 2: but I'm concerned about safety. And when you call Triple 357 00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:12,760 Speaker 2: A for roadside assistance, you get that large Triple A 358 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:16,640 Speaker 2: truck pulling up behind you with its flashing lights. That's 359 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:18,919 Speaker 2: going to keep you safe on the road side and 360 00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 2: we'll get you back on the road as quickly as possible. 361 00:18:22,680 --> 00:18:27,679 Speaker 2: So that's really I recommend everybody have Triple A, not 362 00:18:27,720 --> 00:18:30,280 Speaker 2: just because I work there, just because it's going to 363 00:18:30,320 --> 00:18:32,639 Speaker 2: keep you safe on the roadside. We also have a 364 00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:35,359 Speaker 2: travel business, and in the cold weather, I know a 365 00:18:35,359 --> 00:18:39,159 Speaker 2: lot of people are thay dreaming of warm beaches and 366 00:18:39,200 --> 00:18:44,280 Speaker 2: tropical getaways. So our membership also includes access to our 367 00:18:44,320 --> 00:18:47,000 Speaker 2: travel agents at no costs. So even if you're just 368 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:50,080 Speaker 2: visualizing a trip and want to get some ideas and 369 00:18:50,119 --> 00:18:52,879 Speaker 2: some pricing, you can do that. That's a benefit of 370 00:18:52,920 --> 00:18:56,000 Speaker 2: your membership that a lot of people don't realize that 371 00:18:56,760 --> 00:18:59,800 Speaker 2: they can take advantage of. We also have all sorts 372 00:18:59,840 --> 00:19:05,440 Speaker 2: of different partnerships with hotels and companies like NAPA Auto 373 00:19:05,480 --> 00:19:08,800 Speaker 2: Parts where you can get a discount on your essentials 374 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:12,080 Speaker 2: and if you're handy and change around oil, you can 375 00:19:12,119 --> 00:19:16,680 Speaker 2: save money on those parts that you need at NAP. 376 00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:19,960 Speaker 2: With your Triple A membership, the products and service we 377 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:23,480 Speaker 2: offer are pretty extensive. It's one of those things where 378 00:19:23,720 --> 00:19:26,160 Speaker 2: a lot of members don't realize all the benefits they have. 379 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:29,000 Speaker 2: So I recommend they go to Triple A dot Com. 380 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:32,200 Speaker 2: They would have to type in their zip code and 381 00:19:32,240 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 2: then you will have access to our website which lays 382 00:19:35,800 --> 00:19:40,119 Speaker 2: out all our different products and services. Safety is my 383 00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:43,359 Speaker 2: goal in Triple A Public Affairs, so my job is 384 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:46,280 Speaker 2: to go out there and really encourage people to drive safely, 385 00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:49,760 Speaker 2: promote traffic safety, and make sure we all get to 386 00:19:49,760 --> 00:19:51,640 Speaker 2: where we need to go in a safe fashion. 387 00:19:51,880 --> 00:19:53,880 Speaker 1: Beautiful well Mark, thank you so much for the time 388 00:19:53,920 --> 00:19:56,479 Speaker 1: on the show and really appreciate these tips to keep 389 00:19:56,560 --> 00:19:57,399 Speaker 1: us safe on the roads. 390 00:19:57,640 --> 00:19:59,840 Speaker 2: I appreciate it and thanks for helping us get the 391 00:19:59,840 --> 00:20:01,840 Speaker 2: met A job about safe driving over the winter. 392 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:06,080 Speaker 1: Have a safe and happy and healthy holiday season. After 393 00:20:06,119 --> 00:20:08,159 Speaker 1: the first of the year, we've got some great content 394 00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:10,119 Speaker 1: coming up, so be sure to stick around for that. 395 00:20:10,560 --> 00:20:14,240 Speaker 1: I'm Nicole Davis from WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio