Severe winter weather can be a cause of both fear and danger for travelers. According to AAA, winter storms and sloppy road conditions factor into more than 2,000 road deaths every winter.
“An informed driver is a safe driver,” said TxDOT’s Dianah Ascencio. “Before traveling, drivers should check weather reports along their route, and they can also check road conditions at drivetexas.org.”
For anyone hoping to stay safe while driving on snow and ice, our news team created the following list of suggestions for traveling through severe winter weather.
- Stay home if you can and only drive if necessary. Even if you’re confident in your winter driving skills, others might not be. Let road crews clear the way before venturing out.
- Check road conditions before leaving. Knowing what to expect can help you plan your route—or decide to stay put.
- Slow down and increase following distance. Allow extra room to stop and keep at least three times the usual distance between you and the car ahead.
- Steer, accelerate, and brake gently. Rough or abrupt movements can throw off your vehicle’s balance and increase the risk of skidding.
- Avoid cruise control. You need full control of your vehicle on slippery roads—cruise control can make that harder.
- Know your braking system. For anti-lock brakes, apply steady pressure. Without them, gently pump the brakes to avoid locking up.
- Keep calm during skids. If you start to skid, ease off the gas and avoid slamming on the brakes—it can worsen the skid.
- Climb and descend hills cautiously. Use inertia to help you reach the top without extra gas, and reduce speed as you go downhill. Avoid stopping on hills to prevent getting stuck.
- Be cautious approaching bridges and overpasses. Because both bridges and overpasses are elevated structures, they tend to freeze first.
- Keep rolling when possible. Coming to a full stop requires more effort to start moving again. Slow down early and try to keep a steady roll at intersections or traffic lights.
- Stick to plowed or well-traveled lanes. Minimize lane changes, and if the road isn’t plowed, drive in the tracks of vehicles ahead to maintain better traction.
Finally, if you find yourself stranded during a storm, call the Texas DPS motorists helpline at 1-800-525-5555.