First time driving on ice and snow in Texas? Follow these tips
It’s no secret that most Texans are not familiar with driving in the snow. On the occasion we do experience a winter freeze, the highways become desolate and traffic dissolves.
The freezing temperatures pose threats to drivers. The Federal Highway Administration says that over 1,300 people are killed and around 116,800 people are injured while driving on snow, slush or ice every year.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) highly recommends avoiding roads during snowfall. However, if you absolutely need to get behind the wheel during the storm, TxDOT recommends driving with extreme caution, as well as following the tips below.
How do I drive when there is snow on the roads?
TxDOT prepares for wintry mixes by drenching the roads in brine, a salt-water mixture that helps prevent ice from forming. TxDOT has applied over 1.3 million gallons of this across Texas highways in preparation for the likelihood of snowfall on Thursday, Jan. 9.
TxDOT recommends the following tips for driving on snow:
Slow down. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not winter road conditions.
Maintain at least three times the normal following distance on snow or ice. Normal following distance is typically three seconds behind the vehicle in front of you, so on snow, follow five to six seconds behind.
Watch carefully for snow removal equipment and stay at least 200 feet behind snow plows.
Use extra caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses and shaded areas, as they tend to freeze first.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease off the gas pedal or brakes and steer into the direction of the skid until you have regained traction. Then straighten your vehicle.
How do I drive on black ice?
Snow on the road is better than ice, according to the National Weather Service. Snow generally has some traction and cars can melt the snow, which just makes the pavement wet. What drivers need to worry about is a wet road freezing into ice — specifically black ice.
Black ice can look invisible, so drivers do not realize that it is on the road. Black ice can form in regions that lack sunshine, or on less-traveled roads and bridges, overpasses or tunnels. Avoid driving in early morning and late evenings when there is little sun because that is when black ice is most commonly formed.
If you begin to drive over a patch of black ice, do not hit your brakes and do your best to keep your steering wheel straight.
“The general rule is to do as little as possible and allow the car to pass over the ice.” according to an article from the U.S. Forest Service.
If you choose to drive during freezing temperatures, TxDOT has a DriveTexas map where you can track areas with snow and ice. You can then map your route to avoid those roads.
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How slow should I drive with snow, ice or slush on the roads?
A good rule of thumb when driving in wintry conditions is to go slow and allow yourself more time than you typically need to drive to your destination.
AAA, an auto and travel insurance agency, recommends the following tips for gauging how fast you should drive on snow, ice or slush:
On snow or ice, your car will have lower traction, so drive around 15-30 mph slower than normal.
Accelerate and decelerate slower than normal. It takes longer to slow down on slippery roads.
Don’t stop completely if you don’t have to. “There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling,” according to AAA.
Don’t power up going on hills. Try to speed up before and use that inertia to carry you up.
Don’t stop while driving uphill.
