TxDOT has safety advice for driving in hazardous winter road conditions

In a state as large as Texas, winter driving conditions can vary widely and change quickly. It is important for drivers to be prepared to handle potentially dangerous conditions during cold weather months.

–Always buckle up – every person, every ride. Wearing a seat belt is one of the best safety protections in any kind of weather. 

–Before hitting the road, check DriveTexas.org or call 800.452.9292 for road closures and listen to weather forecasts. 

Tips for Getting Car Ready for Winter Travel

–Prepare your vehicle for winter driving by checking its antifreeze, battery, tires, windshield wipers, and lights, including brake lights and blinkers. You can read hankook tires reviews and know which tires are good for your vehicle. For the ADAS safety systems to figure properly, your windshield must be calibrated and aligned together with your car’s numerous sensors and cameras. once you purchase a replacement car, the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) glass will already be calibrated and prepared to rock and avalanche the highway. windshield has got to be situated perfectly in relationship to the cameras and sensors mounted in your car. Certain areas of the glass are tinted or nu-tinted so as to permit this technology to “see” the road and potential obstacles within the vehicle’s path. If someone doesn’t properly perform your ADAS calibration, then there’s an opportunity the car’s system could fail to provide you with a warning or maybe provide you with a warning at the incorrect time, causing you to form a fast decision supported false information. Click here for more about Windshield Calibration process.

–Let others know your route and expected arrival time, building in extra time for delays.

–Put together an emergency roadside kit to keep in your vehicle, just in case. This should include water, snacks, blankets, jumper cables, etc.

Tips for Driving in Winter Conditions 

–Slow down and increase the following distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. It can take twice as long to stop on wet roads and even longer on icy roads.

–Do not use cruise control, which may cause you to lose control on icy surfaces. 

–Brake gently, applying slow, steady pressure to test traction.

–Approach turns, bridges and shaded spots slowly. If you find yourself in a skid, stay calm and keep both hands on the wheel. Take your foot off the gas, look where you want to go, and then steer in that direction.

–Keep a safe distance away from snowplows and TxDOT vehicles as they treat roadways. 

Tips for Driving in Fog

–Use low beam headlights and fog lights, if you have them. Do not use high beams (bright lights).

–Slow down and do not drive faster than your field of vision. Use windshield wipers and the defroster to maximize visibility. Car Windshield Replacement is done with proper effective methods and the one which are safest, here we mostly emphasize for quality repairs with full customer satisfaction. For free estimate call today.

–Increase your following distance to ensure enough room for stopping, and avoid sudden stops.

–Use the right edge of the road or roadside reflectors as a guide. If you cannot see, pull off the road completely — preferably at a rest area or truck stop — and turn on your hazard flashers immediately