HOUSTON --Authorities are reminding motorists to take precautions during dangerous driving conditions, such as slick or icy roads. The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) offers the following driving tips to motorists traveling slick or icy roads:
- Know your vehicle and how it operates. Not all cars respond the same to slippery roads. Knowing how to handle your vehicle and how it responds in various weather conditions is important.
- Always maintain a good distance from vehicles in front of you. The most important thing to remember when driving on slick roads is that you must travel, steer and brake more slowly than usual.
- Recognize Danger Zones:
Intersections -- Slow down before reaching an intersection. Scan all directions for cars and pedestrians.
Curves -- Reduce speed before entering a curve.
Bridges -- Ice forms on bridges and freeways so reduce speed and use precaution.
- Non-working traffic signals should be treated as stop signs.
- Never brake while driving on ice. If you are approaching a patch of ice, brake during your approach. Applying pressure to your brakes while on ice will only throw you into a skid.
- Always buckle up and use extra caution when driving in slick or icy conditions.
- Changing a flat tire.
- Supply fuel, water and air
- Jump start vehicles with dead batteries
- Remove stranded vehicles from the roadway by use of the push Bumper or by summoning a tow truck
- Provide use of mobile phone to notify relatives, employer or summon additional help
- Provide courtesy transport of stranded motorist to a safe location