The Texas Department of Transportation has been monitoring road conditions since last night, when this cold front blew in.
Different areas in the Coastal Bend might only see a little bit of drizzle throughout the day, but it turns out, that's all it takes to make roads dangerous.
On days like today, where roads are slick, it's good for drivers to just slow down, but local mechanics also have some tips for driving in bad weather:
Get regular maintenance on your vehicle. Many car shops have a winter care package that includes checking your brakes, oil, tires, and other important cold-weather car issues.
Inspect your vehicle yourself. Make sure you look at the tires for proper tread, the battery, and your windshield wipers. Your vehicle should also have enough antifreeze. Adjust these things if needed.
Drive slowly. Shaving a little bit of time off your travels isn't worth the risk of getting into a serious accident.
Use your brakes intelligently. Many vehicles already come with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). With an ABS, you can hold the brakes down, but if you don't have an ABS, you should tap the brake pedal rather than hold it down to avoid sliding out of control.
Keep a safe distance behind other vehicles -- You'll need more space to stop on icy roads if something ahead of you were to happen. You want to make sure you are a safe enough distance behind other cars to ensure you don't get into an accident if the person in front of you slams on the brakes.
Use your signals earlier than usual. Let drivers know what moves you are making earlier than usual so they can adjust.
When roads are wet, there are many slick spots on the road that may catch you by surprise, sending you sliding. If you start to lose control, don't immediately slam on the brakes.
