Maybe your wheels started spinning and you ended up in a snowy ditch. Or just maybe, like hundreds of other drivers caught by surprise by a fast-moving, powerful snowstorm in November, you spent hours in your car, trapped in traffic. Maybe your battery died, or you ran out of gas.
Some drivers abandoned their vehicles; others were left without needed medication on trips home that lasted four hours or more.
"We got a strong reminder (from the storm) that winter prep is vitally important," said Robert Sinclair of The American Automobile Association. "The top items are flat tires, dead batteries and lockouts."
In order to be as prepared as possible this winter, which begins Friday, AAA, has some tips for drivers:
Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
You should always have a spare cellphone charger, operable flashlight and a set of jumper cables in your vehicle.
Store a blanket, extra pair of gloves, water and any needed medication in your vehicle (you can lock it in the glove compartment).
For those spin outs that land you in a snowbank, a collapsible shovel is a must; you should also have flares (should your vehicle become undrivable in a traffic lane) extra windshield washer fluid, and a bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter) or traction mats which can help give wheels traction on slippery surfaces.
Always have a first-aid kit in the vehicle.
Make certain your tires are properly inflated. "This is a critical item to prevent not only flats, but the deadly blowout," said Sinclair.
"I would also recommend checking oil, coolant, hoses and belts. These are all ancillary items, but they can bring a trip to a screeching halt if they fail," Sinclair noted.
If you do abandon your vehicle, and walk, which AAA does not recommend, tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress.
"A breakdown can be much more than an inconvenience," Sinclair said. "Being by the side of a busy roadway can be very dangerous. Unfortunately, many people by the side of the road are struck, injured or killed by passing vehicles, including many police officers and tow truck drivers. Hopefully, drivers won’t wind up by the roadside if they follow these tips."