A blast of winter has again arrived in Kansas, just in time for the busy pre-Christmas holiday travel period. Record numbers of travelers will be hitting the roads in Kansas and across the nation from Dec. 23 to Jan. 1, so to avoid ill-timed delays and breakdowns, here isr a selection of useful resources for motorists.

Winter Car Care Checklist

Before heading over the river and through the woods on a holiday road trip, a properly maintained vehicle is crucial, to avoid being one of the 2,400 motorists AAA Kansas Emergency Roadside Assistance expects to rescue during this holiday season. Special attention should be paid to the car battery, tires, hoses and belts, windshield wipers and fluid, and lights. Use this easy-to-follow list to check key vehicle systems or have them handled by a professional car care technician.

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Winter Emergency Kit to Keep in Your Car

Far too many drivers become stranded on the roadside this time of year. Nationwide, AAA expects to handle more than 900,000 emergency roadside assistance calls this holiday driving season, with the most common problems being dead batteries, lockouts, towing and flat tires. AAA Kansas recommends keeping the following items in your “emergency kit” for winter driving:

• Bag of abrasive materials such as sand, salt or cat litter for gaining traction in snow and ice

• Snow shovel

• Flashlight with extra batteries

• Gloves, mittens and warm coat

• Ice scraper and snow brush

• Jumper cables

• Tools

• Blanket or sleeping bag

• Warning flares or triangle

• Cellular phone (with AAA Mobile App) and emergency charger

• Food and water

• First aid kit

• Extra winter formula, de-icing windshield wiper fluid

• AAA membership card in case roadside assistance is needed

This infographic provides a visual depiction of what to include in a winter emergency kit.

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How to Drive on Snow and other Winter Driving Tips

There may be a chance for snow in Kansas this weekend, and Kansans may be driving to other locations this holiday season where snow will be a certainty, so being prepared and knowing the right techniques for navigating snowy roads can make the drive a safer one. These tips and this video provide useful information on safe winter driving.