Winter storm: AAA encourages drivers to stay off bad roads

By AAA of Western and Central New York

Due to severe winter weather conditions, AAA is experiencing high call volume today. In such situations, AAA prioritizes service requests in an effort to assist stranded motorists who are in dangerous roadside conditions first, before those who are safe at home. Anyone in an emergency situation should call 911.

Motorists who need automotive assistance should request road service via the free AAA mobile app or AAA.com to avoid waiting on hold amid high call volume over the telephone. AAA anticipates high volume will continue on Tuesday, as area residents continue to dig out from the storm.

AAA Western and Central New York has already received hundreds of calls this morning and urges motorists to stay home except for emergencies. Motorists are going off the road on slippery conditions or getting stuck in snow drifts, often at the end of driveways, based on AAA requests for service. Winch calls (where cars have to be pulled out of the snow) are the top request this morning, accounting for 49% of calls across the region, compared to average January day of 7%.

The Buffalo metro region is extremely treacherous with 59% of calls for winches compared to 3% on an average January day.

AAA advises motorists who must travel to fully shovel their driveways before trying to exit, or they will likely get stuck based on AAA calls this morning. Cars should also be cleared of snow and brushed off for automotive service, which will expedite service across the region.

In an effort to keep motorists off snowy roads and to protect AAA associates, the following AAA Travel & Insurance Centers are closed today:

• Watertown
• Amherst
• KenTon
• Clarence
• Orchard Park
• Greece

In-car driving lessons with AAA Driver Training are canceled for today. Virtual classes will be held as scheduled.

Note: AAA Travel, Insurance and Membership services are available with agents working remotely. Services can be handled over the phone, via email or at www.AAA.com. (Today is a great day to book a vacation to a warm destination!)

AAA Emergency Road Service is available 24/7/365, but again, requests should be placed digitally via the AAA mobile app, or at AAA.com for the fastest service. Please keep in mind that AAA may be unable to provide service in areas that are under travel bans. Please refer to your town or county website for further information.

As upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA Western and Central New York provides more than 887,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.