Tips for driving in the snow and ice
DALLAS - Not everyone can stay home over the next few days.
For those who must drive, here are some tips that could help you stay safe.
Prepare your vehicle for the colder temperatures
There are a lot of things you can do beforehand to make sure your vehicle is actually ready for the roadway.
Make sure all your fluid levels are topped off and check that your battery is functioning properly.
"Something else that’s been kind of interesting in year’s past. There’s been wives tales where they’ll say, ‘Hey, when there’s bad weather and cold weather, you don’t want to have your tires fully inflated. That’s not true," said FOX 4 traffic reporter Chip Waggoner.
Instead, make sure your tires are ready for the roadway by checking their pressure level. Especially in cold temperatures, the air tends to compress and therefore your tires may be a little flat.
How to prepare your vehicle for driving in winter weather
An intense storm system is expected to develop over Arizona and move into northern Mexico by Wednesday, possibly producing flurries or very light snow in North Texas. AAA Texas is urging drivers to stay safe during winter weather conditions.
Driving cautiously even when you don't see snow or ice
"Once you’re out on the roadways, the conditions that we’re going to be experiencing to me are the worst case scenario situations because we’re going to be right around the freezing mark. And when that happens, people will be lulled into a false sense of security because they’ll see a lot of the roadways will be damp and not frozen. That doesn’t mean that we won’t end up with some overpasses that might end up with ice on them," Chip said.
Make sure that you watch your speed no matter what.
TxDOT preparing roads with winter weather on the way
TxDOT has pre-treated roads across North Texas as they prepare for freezing temperatures and possible snow later this week.
If you do find yourself on an icy roadway or overpass, don’t hit the brake. Coast across it.
If you do end up skidding on the ice, turn into the skid to try to regain control of your vehicle faster.
Another reminder is to maintain your distance from other vehicles. It will give you extra time to react if the person ahead of you runs into trouble.
The Source: FOX 4 Traffic Reporter Chip Waggoner provided the information for this story.