By Zachary Floiro
OSWEGO, N.Y.– Snow, ice and the freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on drivers throughout the winter months.
Oswego student Ian Padgett said he was a victim of a winter-related car accident last year and that it was a lack of traction from his car’s worn out tires got him into trouble.
“I hit my brakes and my wheels locked up; I just kept sliding,” said Padgett, “I messed up my passenger door and shattered the window. I had to get a brand new door.”
A&P Automotive manager Mike Silliman said having a set of winter tires on a car is essential to maintaining traction on icy conditions and avoiding accidents.
“The things you gotta think about with tires, it’s not just taking off. It’s your breaking and your cornering, that’s where the accidents happen,” Silliman said.
Salting roads can prevent ice buildup but can provoke fast-spreading rust throughout a car’s body and frame. Silliman said he recommends a thorough, weekly wash to keep a car free from salt, and ultimately free from dangerous rust.
Silliman said he also recommends packing a small survival kit in the car, in case of mechanical issues stranding a car and its owner.
Essential items in a winter car kit can include the following.
- jumper cables
- a warm blanket
- change of clothes
- shovel
- a flashlight
For more information on winter tires, go to https://www.apautomotiveny.com/.