TxDOT Reminds Drivers of the Rules of the Wintry Road

Each winter, TxDOT Traffic Safety Specialist Debbie Tahiri spends a good bit of her time spreading the word about safe driving. Much of her advice, she admits, seems to be common sense. But, even though we get a couple of ice events a year in the Waco District, she says we seem to forget about these seasonal safety precautions.

"According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 17 percent of all crashes happen during icy and snowy conditions," Tahiri says. "And the majority of those crashes are preventable. More than 90 percent of these wintry crashes are caused from human behavior, like driving too fast for the conditions, and driver distraction, like using cell phones."

Tahiri says no matter what the driving conditions, drivers should always:

• Check your tires for proper inflation.
• Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition, and that the wiper fluid levels are good.
• Have at least half a tank of gas.
• Know the route you are taking, and the traffic conditions on that route.
• Have an emergency first aid kit, including a flashlight and fresh batteries.
• Have a set of gloves and a warm blanket.

She also wants to remind drivers that posted speed limits are set for roadways under ideal conditions only. When it's icy and snowy, we all need to slow down. She says it's best not to drive at all in wintry conditions, if you can avoid it, but if you must drive, then follow these winter driving safety tips:

Permanent message signs like this one can help you stay aware of dangerous driving conditions on I-35.

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• Leave extra room between you and the car in front of you.
• Use extra caution when approaching bridges and overpasses, which tend to freeze first in cold temperatures.
• Don't use cruise control (to avoid sliding on roadways).
• Eliminate all distractions, especially in winter-weather driving.
• Don't drive when you are fatigued.

Tahiri also has a special winter driving tips for motorists who have small children: "Make sure you don't buckle them into their car seat when they have a coat on," she points out. "It's best to properly buckle them in their car seat without the coat, and then drape their heavy coat or blanket over them after buckling them in."

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