Texas winter storm and icy driving conditions (2023)

FAQs

What number do you call for road conditions in Texas? ›

For road conditions requiring immediate attention call 800-558-9368.

De-icing: Magnesium chloride pellets are mixed with sand to help remove thick layers of ice already on the road.

While road conditions can change rapidly, DriveTexas.org is an industry leader in providing some of the most accurate and up-to-date travel-related information currently available to drivers in Texas.

Fast facts: How to drive in snowy weather

Gently accelerate the vehicle using low revs and shift to a higher gear as quickly as possible. Maintain a greater braking distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. If the car begins to skid, try not to panic. Steer gently into it.

Prepare days before a freeze

Remove water hoses and wrap outdoor pipes. Drain and turn off your lawn sprinkler system. Turn off the water to your clothes washer if it's in an unheated garage. Store your lawn equipment in a garage or shed to keep them in good condition for next year.

All-wheel-drive systems deliver power to all four wheels at the same time, or they automatically engage torque to all four wheels when needed. That's why all-wheel drive is best for driving on snowy and icy roads. With all-wheel drive, the driver does not have to use guesswork.

Use light, steady pressure on the brake pedal to maintain the right speed. This allows your braking system to maintain traction. If you don't have ABS, start slowly and keep it slow by lightly pumping the brakes. Never use cruise control in icy conditions.

When it comes to truck traffic, that part of I-35 ranks number one as the most congested section in the state. Overall, Loop 610 between Interstate 10 and US Highway 59 in Houston ranked first for the most congested roadway in Texas.

Austin - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has launched a new online map application, DriveTexas™, that provides travelers with real-time traffic conditions, traffic and weather feeds, as well as links to other useful travel information.

Are there roads in Texas with no speed limit? ›

The new 183 South toll road doesn't have any speed limit signs. The new 183 South toll road has been open since early 2021. The 8-mile highway runs from U.S. 290 East down to Texas 71 near the airport.

About Highway Roadside Assistance

The safety of Texas' motorists is one TxDOT's top priorities which is why the department offers free roadside assitance through its Highway Emergence Repsonse Operator (HERO) program.

Motorists Helpline

Call toll free 1-800-525-5555 if: Your vehicle is disabled or you are stranded on the side of the road.

Check Current Highway Conditions

You can also call 1-800-427-7623 for current highway conditions.

120 degree heat can not only pose a safety risk for you but can also contribute to your car overheating faster or more excessively, especially considering you need to keep the A/C on to keep yourself safe, so you will also expend more fuel.

Use Threshold braking

Successful threshold braking should prevent your car from onward skidding. The goal here is to apply the brakes while watching wheel stability. If your wheels are locking up in the process, release pressure and apply the brakes again. Avoid pumping the brakes.

According to Texas A&M University, water pipes can freeze and burst when the outside temperature reaches 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

Overview. Extremely cold air mass shifted over Texas on December 22, 2022, causing temperatures to plummet across the state. Much of Texas endured temperatures below freezing - in some cases well below freezing - for dozens of hours.

What is a hard freeze? The National Weather Service describes a hard freeze as an extended period when temperatures stay at 28 degrees or below.

What is the fastest way to melt ice on a car? ›

Choose a higher gear to avoid wheelspin

Keeping your car in a higher gear won't help the situation, as it increases engine revs and causes the vehicle's wheels to spin more quickly. Selecting a higher gear helps keep wheelspin to a minimum, allowing the car to more effectively navigate slippery surfaces.

30 to 35 PSI is generally recommended as the ideal tire pressure for winter temperatures, but the exact recommended pressure varies depending on the type of vehicle and how low the temperature drops. Ultimately, it's important to check your vehicle's owner's manual and go with the recommended tire pressure provided.

Keep the steering wheel straight and maintain your speed – don't hit the brakes. Use the gears to slow down if necessary, but avoid any sudden movements that could destabilise the car.

QUESTION: Is four-wheel drive better for icy roads? ANSWER: Yes, all wheel and four-wheel drive are better in ice and snow.

Thus, ice is most slippery when temperatures are near freezing (26-32F) and is much less slippery when temperatures reach the single digits and below. So if the air temperature is just below freezing and ice is on the roadway, extra care is warranted.

If your vehicle doesn't have antilock brakes, manually pumping can help maintain control on slippery roads. Gently apply and release pressure at a moderate rate. Do not apply quick or steady pressure, as this can cause your wheels to lock and your car to skid.

Ice is extremely dangerous when it is on roads and highways. When your vehicle hits a patch of ice, your first instinct might be to hit your brakes. Resist this urge, however, as it could lock your vehicle up and make sliding worse. This is especially true if you have an anti-lock brake system.

If you are driving on highway not numbered by Texas or the U.S. and outside an urban district, the limit is 60. All drivers are expected to obey the posted Texas speed limits. You should drive at the same speed as the flow of traffic and be aware of how fast you are going.

What highway has the most accidents in Texas? ›

I-45 is the most dangerous road in Texas and the second-most dangerous road in the country. Connecting Galveston to Houston and extending to Dallas, the highway averaged 56.5 fatal accidents per 100 miles over an eight-year study conducted by the Accident Data Center.

The highest posted speed limit in the country is 85 mph (137 km/h) and can be found only on Texas State Highway 130, a toll road that bypasses the Austin metropolitan area for long-distance traffic.

Waze can help alert you to road conditions before you leave your front door. Waze is a community-based traffic app that offers real-time road conditions. Drivers with Waze share road information with others on the app so you'll know if a road is covered in snow or has black ice before you leave your home.

No matter what you might have heard or been led to believe, it's never legal to exceed the speed limit on a Texas road. You risk being stopped by an officer and ticketed every time you do. Going even one mile per hour over the speed limit could result in hundreds of dollars of fines and costs assessed against you.

The Law in Texas

Texas Transportation Code Section 545.363 provides: “An operator may not drive so slowly as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with the law.”

Driving at excessive speeds could also lead to a reckless driving charge. For example, driving 20 miles per hour over the speed limit could land you with a reckless driving charge. Reckless driving could also mean that you drove too fast for road conditions, even if you drove within the speed limit.

Gently accelerate the vehicle using low revs and shift to a higher gear as quickly as possible. Keep your speed down, be aware of potential hazards, and give yourself enough time to brake and steer. To reduce the chances of the wheels slipping, use the second gear instead of the first gear.

What do you do if your car is sliding on snow and ice? ›

When your 4WD system is set to 4H, you can drive fast, but not too fast. Most automakers suggest keeping the speed at 55 MPH or less. With 4H, you gain more traction on icy, snowy, muddy, and rocky roads. For instance, you might want to shift into 4H if you're driving on a snow-covered road that leads to a ski resort.

Furthermore, the gap should be at least doubled on wet roads and increased still further on icy roads. To use the rule, drivers should allow the vehicle in front to pass a fixed object such as a lamp post or road sign then count to two seconds.

Lightweight: Lighter cars are more likely to slip and slide on snowy roads than heavier vehicles. Low ground clearance: It's easy to damage the undercarriage of vehicles with low ground clearance when driving in wintery weather. They're also prone to get stuck in the snow, potentially leaving you stranded.

Snow chains also provide the greatest amount of traction on ice, packed snow, and deep snow. Snow tires don't do as well as snow chains in deep snow. Another great feature of chains: you can easily install and remove them yourself!

AWD vehicles can help you get out of snowed-in parking spots, tackle unplowed roads and accelerate on slick surfaces. But without winter tires, they're not nearly as capable as they can be. AWD does little to aid turning and braking on snow and ice vs. a two-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with all-season tires.

If your vehicle doesn't have antilock brakes, manually pumping can help maintain control on slippery roads. Gently apply and release pressure at a moderate rate. Do not apply quick or steady pressure, as this can cause your wheels to lock and your car to skid.

Turn your front wheels in the same direction that the rear of the vehicle is sliding. You've also heard about "turning into the slide". These both mean the same thing. For example, if the back of your car slides to the right, turn the wheel to the right.