Parking Ban Announced for West Hartford

In anticipation of a storm that is expected to dump between 6 and 9 inches of snow on the area, John Phillips, West Hartford's director of public works, has issued a parking ban that will take effect at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14.

The parking ban will continue until further notice, according to a press release.

AAA has announced the following winter driving tips in a press release:

Driving on slippery roads:

*         Increase following distance to 8-10 seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.

*         Slow down. Accelerating, stopping and turning all take longer on snow-covered roads. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.

*         Turn off cruise control. Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surfaces.

*         Don't power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads causes wheels to spin. As you reach the crest of a hill, reduce speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.

In case of an emergency:

*         Pull off the road onto level ground, away from traffic as safely as possible. If you cannot pull off the road, make sure your vehicle is visible by switching on emergency flashers.  Do not risk danger to yourself by attempting to push your vehicle to a safe location.

*         Remain with your vehicle. Under most circumstances, if you have a cell phone, it's best to remain with your vehicle until assistance arrives. However, if you think your vehicle might be struck from behind, do not remain in it. Never stand behind or directly in front of it because other drivers may not see you.

*         Communicate your situation. Once you and your passengers are in a safe location, call for assistance. AAA members in need of roadside assistance can reach AAA by calling 1-800-AAA-HELP or visiting AAA.com/roadsideassistance.<http://discover.aaa.com/CarDriving/RoadsideAssistance/> Smartphone users can download the AAA Mobile app for free and request roadside service with the touch of a button.

Drivers are reminded that it's the law to slow down and move over for emergency personnel, including roadside assistance crews.  Reduce speed and, if possible, move over one lane of traffic to provide a safe area for stranded motorists and emergency personnel assisting them.