Texans, Please Prepare To Stay Off The Roads
February 12, 2021 | in Driving and Safety Tips
On February 11th, at least 9 people were tragically lost in accidents related to the winter weather conditions across DFW. In the coming week, many more Texans are going to find themselves facing similar situations. If there’s absolutely any way for you to stay off the roads as we approach freezing, you should.
In the coming days, many more Texans are going to find themselves having to make difficult decisions about if it is safe to drive. But it will not be safe, and that’s not your fault. Many of us have frequently driven through snow in other states, but that is not the same. It is dangerous to think you’ll be facing a similar situation.
In states where snow is the norm, fleets of vehicles are on standby 24/7 to pre-treat the roads with anti-icing mixtures. This pre-treatment stops the ice from bonding to the road. Very simply, Texas does not have the infrastructure to de-ice and treat the roads ahead of the storm. The result will be roads covered in solid sheets of ice.
No amount of prior experience will make it safe. Having 4WD or AWD will not make it safe. Only traveling a short distance will not make it safe. Going slowly will not make it safe. You can not safely drive on iced-over roads.
The best advice for how to drive in the coming days is to not drive at all. That won’t be possible for everyone. So if you absolutely must drive, please follow the advice from TxDOT.
Even if you are somehow prepared, the people around you will not be. You can do everything correct, but it only takes one mistake from one other driver to set off a chain reaction. Safety is our top priority. Please keep yourself and your families safe.
