Texas DPS Offers Tips to Stay Safe During Winter Weather

Yet another blast of cold and wet weather is headed for the South Plains, and Texas DPS is reminding Texans to take specific precautions.

DPS offers tips for staying safe during winter weather, including:

• Avoid unnecessary travel if possible and monitor local weather broadcasts.
• Remember that ice forms first on bridges, overpasses, and shady areas.
• On icy roads, drive slowly, increase distance needed for stopping, and avoid using cruise control.
• Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained before any trip, including checking fluid and antifreeze levels.
• Buckle up everyone in the vehicle.

“Parts of Texas are continuing to face cold temperatures, freezing rain, sleet, and snow this week, so it is important that residents continue to closely monitor changing weather conditions, and take simple but critical steps to stay safe as this severe weather persists,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw.

Texas DPS also suggests some emergency supplies for motorists to keep in their vehicles, including blankets and extra clothing, cell phone, radio, flashlight, and extra batteries, a first aid kit, high-calorie nonperishable food, bottled water, a sack of sand or cat litter to provide tire traction, a windshield scraper, tool kit, booster cables, tow rope, and a shovel.

As the weather changes, we’ll keep you updated.