Rural Road Safety for Winter Weather

On the dark nights of winter, Texas’s remote country roads can be every bit as dangerous as streets in colder climates. If you’re hitting the holiday road, you may have to navigate downed trees, black ice, and other hazards — all with low visibility. Stay safe and warm on your travels with these tips.

Know the Road

Texas roads can be made out of anything from asphalt to dirt, and it’s critical that you know what kind of hazards each might bring and how to navigate them.

Gravel: Salting gravel roads simply turns them to mud, so these areas are likely to be icy during colder weather. Be mindful, as gravel can be even more slick than paved roads when frozen. Although ice will form more slowly and stick less, gravel will offer less traction — and gravel roads are harder to clear.

Dirt roads: Even though dirt roads don’t often freeze over, any moisture can still make them muddy or slushy. If you get stuck in a mud rut, lay your floor mats as far under your tires as possible. They may provide enough traction to ease your car out, especially if they are rubber.

Black ice: Pay attention to road signs that may alert you to frequently frozen areas of road, such as overpasses, bridges, and roads less traveled. If you do hit black ice, remain calm, keep the steering wheel straight, and do not hit the brakes.

Snow-covered roads: If you know in advance that you will be driving in snow frequently, make sure to fit your vehicle with winter tires. If you find yourself on a snowy road unexpectedly, constantly assess your car’s traction and avoid sudden stops or quick acceleration.

Wildlife Watch

Deer and Elk:

• Always watch the sides of the road for animals crossing, especially in wooded areas.
• Try not to swerve to avoid deer; it can confuse them and prevent them from evading you.
• If you do need to swerve to avoid knocking a large animal onto your windshield, swerve toward their back end. Chances are, they will keep moving out of the way and avoid a collision.

Smaller Animals:

• If there are no other vehicles around you, slow down, come to a complete stop, and wait. Hopefully, whatever is furry will scurry.
• Some small animals may be able to safely pass under your vehicle, but it’s important you drive slow enough to spot them.

What to Do:

• If you do hit a wild animal, pull over and determine if they are dead or wounded; use caution.
• If you see an injured wild animal, call your local animal control agency or police dispatch; if you cannot reach anyone, call 911 and let them know.
• If you see a dead animal blocking the roadway, call 911 to let them know.

Take It Easy

Though you may be the only sleigh on the road, you should still always drive slower than normal in icy, sleety, and snowy conditions, and if you do happen to share the road with fellow travelers, keep a healthy distance from them in case of an ice patch or a sudden stop.

Holler for Help

One of the best things about Texas is that there’s no shortage of neighbors to help out if you’re in a bind. But in case you get stranded and no one’s around, you ought to keep everything you need to communicate with the outside world with you:

• Phone charger
• Portable power pack
• Two-way radio

Winterize Your Ride

• Top off your antifreeze.
• Have a mechanic check your battery.
• Keep your gas tank full.
• Make sure your brakes are in good shape.
• Pack water, nonperishable food, blankets, and a lighter in case of emergency.
• Store a windshield scraper and snow shovel.
• Keep a spare tire and jumper cables handy.
• Stow away a towrope and sand or cat litter in case you need to get pulled out of a drift or ditch.

Stay safe on remote Texas roads this winter with the right coverage, and make sure you have someone to call from the side of the road.