San Antonio rarely deals with icy roads, making it easy to forget best driving practices for winter conditions.
Icy Roadways Lead to Multiple Accidents Monday Morning in San Antonio
According to a KSAT News report, winter weather contributed to multiple accidents on elevated roads and bridges in San Antonio this morning.
The most notable of these accidents involved a jack-knifed 18-wheeler on Loop 410 South at Sinclair Road, causing a major shutdown. Another involved a VIA bus that hit a VIAtrans van on Loop 410 and WW White. That accident occurred due to icy conditions, and no serious injuries were reported, as no passengers were in either vehicle.
Multiple other crashes were reported on major highways across San Antonio. It is unclear if any resulted in serious injury or fatality.
Did You Know?
24% of weather-related auto accidents are caused by snow, ice, or slush on the road.
How to Drive Safely in Winter Weather in San Antonio
We don’t often have to deal with ice on the roads in San Antonio — at best, it happens only once or twice a year. That can make it easy to forget how to drive safely in winter-weather conditions.
However, it’s important that you’re prepared before going back to work tomorrow. Over 1,300 people are killed, and 116,000 people are injured on snowy, icy, or slushy pavement every year. Even small amounts of ice on the road are no joke. Learning how to drive in icy weather may save your life or prevent catastrophic injury.
Let’s go over a quick refresher from the TxDOT on best driving practices for winter weather in San Antonio.
How to Drive in Icy/Snowy Conditions
It’s better not to drive at all if there’s ice on the road, but many people have no choice. If you have to drive in icy conditions in San Antonio, follow these tips:
- Slow Down — It’s easy to skid and lose control of your car if you’re driving too fast on ice. The posted speed limit is too fast if there’s ice on the road — drive at a speed safe for conditions. You could be ticketed for speeding for driving at the posted limit in inclement weather conditions.
- Maintain Extra Following Distance — Give yourself 3 times the space you normally give between you and the car in front of you. Ice makes stopping more difficult, so you’ll need more time and more space than normal.
- Watch for Problem Spots — Elevated roadways like bridges, ramps, and overpasses freeze first and may be icy when the rest of the road is not. Shaded areas may also remain icy for longer than the rest of the road.
- Brake Before Your Turn — Gently ease on the brake before turning to avoid sliding on ice.
- If You Skid — Don’t panic. Keep both hands on the wheel and turn in the direction of the skid. Don’t slam your brakes. Continue until you regain traction, and then slowly correct yourself.
Preparation before an accident is your best shot at preventing one. Check out our other post for more tips on prepping your vehicle and traveling with children during the winter weather.
Injured in an Accident Because of Icy Conditions? Call Carabin Shaw
Icy conditions are not an excuse for another driver to hurt you in an accident.
Our team has represented those hurt in winter-weather accidents in San Antonio for 30 years, and we put our clients first. Call our team of experienced attorneys at 800-862-1260 or use the live chat for immediate, free assistance. We look forward to serving you.
Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and does not obligate you to work with the firm.