CINCINNATI, OH (March 14, 2019) –Tri-state motorists are likely to face hazardous driving conditions today due to severe thunderstorms threatening to bring strong winds, hail and the possibility of isolated tornadoes, warns AAA.

AAA is advising motorists to be prepared, exercise extreme caution and even consider delaying travel until the storm passes.

"Today's severe weather risk can pose dangerous driving conditions for motorists," said Jenifer Moore, AAA spokeswoman. "The best and safest advice is, of course, to delay travel until weather conditions improve."

AAA offers these severe weather reminders:

• Never try to outrun a tornado. Your vehicle will offer no protection from a twister. It is impossible to know which direction a tornado may decide to go.
• Seek shelter indoors. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, leave your vehicle immediately and seek shelter in a sturdy building.
• Stay away from roadway overpasses. If you are caught in the open with no substantial buildings available, find a ditch, ravine or low-lying area, lie flat on the ground and protect the back of your head with your arms.
• Be wary of high wind conditions -- Larger trucks are more affected by high winds, so give them plenty of room on the roadways.
• Remember, wet roads mean poor traction. Conditions are most dangerous during the first ten minutes of a heavy downpour as oil and debris wash away. Slow down. Take it easy and brake slowly. Allow extra time to reach your destination.
• Never use your motor vehicle's cruise control feature in inclement weather.  If you begin to experience a skid, the system may interpret the skid-induced reduction in speed as a need to apply more engine power, making it harder to recover from a skid.
• Remember to turn on your vehicle's headlights at the first sign of darkness or decreased visibility.  In Ohio and many other states, it is the law to turn on your headlights when your windshield wipers are on.
• Stay up to date on changing weather conditions by tuning into local media reports
• Turn around, don't drown - The National Weather Service data shows that nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are vehicle-related. Ironically, many drivers rescued from flood waters report that they were in a hurry to get home-to safety as a reason for tempting the danger of driving into water. The safest practice during a flood or flash flood is to avoid driving onto water-covered roadways, even if the water depth appears low. Water depth is very difficult to estimate on roads, especially at night, when many flood deaths occur. In the case of a flash flood, water rises very quickly. Water that covered a road by only 6 inches at one moment could easily be 2 to 3 feet deep just seconds later.
• Buckle up and get rid of distractions, such as music and cell phones, so you can concentrate on driving.

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 59 million members nationwide and nearly two and a half million members in Ohio.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  AAA is a non-stock, non-profit corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information, visit www.AAA.com.

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