Recent weather patterns have left Texans living through some extreme winter weather. Snow, slush, and ice cover local highways and streets, making it difficult for all drivers to safely reach their destination.
During these conditions, no one should travel unless they absolutely have to. However, some people will have to traverse the roads in icy conditions.
However, as local ice experts, the Emergency Ice team feels that it’s our responsibility to give our valued customers tips for driving in icy weather. Follow these helpful hints to help get your family from point A to point B, safely.
Take it Slow and Plan Ahead
Winter conditions always pose the risk of black ice on the roads. If you must travel at this time, we recommend planning ahead to ensure that you reach your final destination while driving slowly on the roads.
Slow driving allows you to remain vigilant, increases the possibility of spotting black ice, and allows for more time to react to any unexpected incidents that may occur during your icy trek.
Don’t Get Too Comfortable with Your Four-Wheel Drive
Many drivers with four-wheel drive wrongfully believe that their vehicle settings guarantee a safe commute. We have been in the ice delivery industry for over five decades and have witnessed first-hand, overly comfortable drivers with four-wheel drive.
The added traction of your all-wheel drive may be useful in some situations, but on black ice, your vehicle can easily become as vulnerable as a neighboring car without your upgrades.
Never Use Cruise Control
Cruise control may be a feature that helps keep you at a decent speed on longer drives. However, it’s never a feature you should use while driving through winter weather.
Lower gears and more traction should be your goal. This way, if you experience an ice patch, your vehicle will reduce its risk of fast acceleration and allow you more time to properly handle a run-in with some black ice.
What If You Hit a Patch of Black Ice?
Black ice can be hard to spot while driving and sometimes hitting a patch on the road is inevitable. If your vehicle hits black ice and begins to skid, do not overcorrect the skid, as this could potentially send your vehicle reeling into an accident.
What you’ll need to do is slowly turn into the skid and let your vehicle flow through the ice until it is able to gain traction again.
Stay Cautious in Shady Areas
Most drivers know that elevated highway sections are most susceptible to black ice, but should also remember that shaded areas also bring on black ice problems. Even if you can’t actually see any ice patches beneath an oncoming bridge, pump the brakes before heading under and stay vigilant.
For the Rest of Your Ice Needs, Put Your Trust in Emergency Ice
Although the icy weather may put you off on the thought of ice in the near future, keep in mind that Texas will eventually heat back up, and the need for bagged and delivered ice will return.
Emergency Ice is dedicated to providing Texans with quality, ice when they need it. Trust us to help keep your gatherings cool and your foods well preserved. If you know you’ll need an ice delivery once the winter weather blows over, we’re ready to help. Contact us today to learn more about our delivery services.