MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Icy weather has led to slick roads in parts of the Mid-South. If you're looking to hit the road, here are some helpful links to check road conditions before you go.
Tennessee:
Those traveling in Tennessee can click here to check TDOT Smartway for road closures and delays.
Arkansas:
If you're traveling in Arkansas, click here to check the iDrive Arkansas traffic cameras.
Mississippi:
If you're going to or through Mississippi, click here for MDOT's traffic cameras.
Missouri:
If you're going to or through Missouri, click here to check MoDOT's cameras.
Ahead of this potential ice storm, you'll want to keep these tips in mind for your car:
According to AAA, drivers should conduct a front-to-back assessment of their car to winterize it. People should check headlights and taillights for scratches and damage to make sure that their vehicle is visible to other drivers.
Cars should have enough windshield wiper fluid to help knock any debris from salted roads.
Drivers should lift up their car's hood and check its battery, belts and hoses. Drivers should also keep an eye on their car's tire pressure and that it's up to the vehicle manufacturer's specifications. The specifications can be found on the side door or in the owner's manual.
An emergency kit should be kept inside your car at all times. It can help drivers whose car has broken down and are waiting for help.
Items that should be in emergency kits include:
- Small toolkit
- Sand or kitty litter to help car tires gain traction
- Snow shovel
- Jumper cables
- Blanket
- Warm clothing
- Water
- Food
- Cellphone charger
People should not get out of their cars if they become stranded in snow that's above their car's tailpipe.
Driving during icy weather
Preparing your vehicle for driving in bad weather
Clear all snow and ice from the vehicle’s windows, roof, hood, trunk lid, and any other covered areas. This will reduce risk because it increases your visibility. Additionally, drivers around you won’t be blinded by snow blowing off your vehicle.
Use an ice scraper to remove snow and ice from your windshield and all windows, including side and rear windows. This will improve your ability to see other roadway users that may move into your path of travel.
To optimize visual clarity, clean the outside and inside of your windshield at least once a week. Frequent cleaning is even more important if you smoke.
Keep your windshield wiper blades fresh. Many drivers change them every six months, especially before driving in bad weather.
Prepare your vehicle for winter driving by checking its antifreeze, battery, tires, windshield wipers, and lights, including brake lights and blinkers.
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.
On the road
Make sure your headlights are on. In fact, it is a good idea to turn on your headlights any time you drive, because you will increase your visibility in any conditions.
Reduce your speed and leave plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the vehicle in front of you.
Brake gently to avoid skidding.
Do not use cruise control on any wet, snow-covered or icy roads.
Be aware of possible icy roads. Be especially careful on bridges and overpasses, which freeze sooner than roads. And even at temperatures above freezing, if conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
Be careful on infrequently traveled roads, which may not be cleared as often as other roads.
Leaving the roadway
If you must pull off the road, wait for conditions to improve and pull off the road as far as you can, preferably past the end of a guardrail.
It is best to pull into a rest area or parking lot, rather than on the road’s shoulder.
Know when to brake and when to steer
Some driving situations require abrupt action to avoid a crash or collision and in winter conditions the decision to steer or brake can have very different outcomes. When traveling more than 25 mph, steer instead braking to avoid a collision in winter-like conditions, as less distance is required to steer around an object than to brake to a stop. In slick conditions, sudden braking can lead to loss of vehicle control.
However, sometimes steering is not an option. Braking on slippery surfaces requires you to look further ahead and increase following and stopping distances. Plan stopping distances as early as possible and always look 20-30 seconds ahead of your vehicle to ensure you have time and space to stop safely.
Stay in control through a skid
Even careful and experienced drivers can skid on slippery surfaces. When a vehicle begins to skid, it’s important not to panic and follow these basic steps:
Continue to look and steer in the direction you want the car to go.
Avoid slamming on the brakes as this will further upset the vehicle’s balance and make it harder to control.
Lastly, drivers should never let their gas go below a quarter of a tank.
Check with ABC24 for the latest weather updates. Click here for the latest forecast and click here for our radar.
