With wintry weather and freezing temperatures on the horizon for North Texas this week, the Texas Department of Transportation is gearing up to help local residents stay safe on the roads.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth is expecting “hazardous cold” next week, with some areas expected to have temperatures below 10 degrees. Weather experts are monitoring for the possibility of precipitation and wintry conditions, mainly along and east of I-35, according to the organization’s latest update.
Although the chances for precipitation remain low — between 20% and 40% — meteorologists predict that if it does occur, it could impact travel and power supplies and cause broken tree limbs.
TxDOT advises drivers to stay off the roads during wintry conditions, which can create “unpredictable and dangerous driving conditions.” For those who must get on the roads, the department offers these safety tips:
- 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.
- 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. Steer into the direction of the skid until you have regained traction. Then straighten your vehicle.
Val Lopez, a spokesperson for TxDOT, recently told Fox 4 News that the department has already begun proactively preparing roads with brine in the Fort Worth area ahead of the expected winter weather. The brine is durable and lasts about a week after it has been sprayed on the roads, bridges, and overpasses or until the precipitation falls.
“What we’re trying to do, we’re trying to prevent ice from bonding onto the roadway. Ice is very different than, let’s say, snow. Those are manageable,” said Lopez, per Fox 4. “You can push those off the roadway. Ice is very heavy, very dense. Once it bonds, it becomes difficult to remove. And that’s what we’re trying to prevent with our pretreatment.”
TxDOT will begin treating roadways and overpasses in the Dallas area on Friday.
TxDOT’s Safety Guide for Winter Travel advises drivers to ensure that their vehicles are well-maintained and ready for wintry conditions, and have a road emergency kit with emergency supplies.
