Photo courtesy AMA

By Chris Brown

Be prepared, be safe

Call volumes spiking for AMA amid province-wide cold snap

Feb 8, 2021 | 11:45 AM

With extreme cold warnings in effect for the entire province, the Alberta Motor Association says calls for dead vehicle batteries province-wide on Monday morning are five to six times the norm.

The latest warning from Environment Canada for Medicine Hat says “extremely cold wind chill values between minus 40 and minus 55 continue.

This prolonged cold snap is expected to persist into the weekend for many areas of Alberta. There will be some moderation in temperature at times, typically during daylight hours.”

AMA says that every 64 seconds it rescues a stranded driver. But when temperatures drop to extremes, as they are currently, that frequency increases to every 40 seconds! In fact, calls about dead batteries sometimes balloon by as much as six times during long cold snaps.

AMA says many of these situations are preventable with a little preparation. Here are some tips to avoid an unexpected breakdown as the mercury in Alberta starts to dip.

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Preparation

• Prior to driving, plug in your vehicle for three to four hours when the outdoor temperature is -15 C or below.
• Winter tires will give you much better traction on snow and ice, helping you stop sooner and maintain more control.
• Ensure your tires are properly inflated. Most tires lose one pound per square inch for every 5 C drop in temperature.
• Consider switching to synthetic oil for the winter months. It’ll reduce the wear and tear on your engine and help it turn over in frigid temperatures.
• Ensure your gas tank is at least half full and consider using gas-line antifreeze if your vehicle frequently moves from warm to cold environments (e.g. a heated garage to outdoor parking lot).

Driving

• Scan the road ahead and maintain a safe following distance that allows for adjustments. When the roads are icy or snowy, this means four to six seconds.
• Drive to the weather, keeping in mind that the posted speed limit refers to ideal conditions.
• Always carry an emergency roadside kit. This should include things like a blanket, warm clothing, caution triangles, a flashlight, gloves, and a folding shovel. Hand sanitizer and a face mask are also good to include during the pandemic.
• If you find yourself broken down at the roadside, please get to a warm, safe place as soon as possible. We recommend arranging alternate transportation from a member of your household.
• Avoid unnecessary trips during extreme weather. This can helps reduce the risk of collisions or breakdowns and keeps you safe.