Florida drivers might think they’re experts at driving in dangerous conditions, but subfreezing temperatures this week are bringing the possibility of an unusual hazard for the Sunshine State: icy roads.
Some areas might even see snow.
Our Southeast Georgia counties could see as much as 2 to 3.5 inches of snow, and the Georgia Department of Transportation already has their brining operation underway to pre-treat the roads.
GDOT said snowplow crews are prepared to work to clear roads once precipitation begins to fall, but they reminded drivers that crews cannot clear roads that are packed with vehicles.
When it comes to clearing the roads, interstates and state routes will be the priority.
Drive safely
The plunging outside temperatures not only do a number on the roadways but also on how your car reacts to them.
So here are some tips for driving safely in winter-like weather.
- Drive slower. Like driving in rain, slick now or iced-covered road surfaces make it more difficult to control your car.
- Give the car in front of you extra space. If the car in front of you brakes suddenly, you’ll need extra space to stop.
- Don’t use cruise control. If your car begins to slip on slick roadways while cruise control is engaged, the speed won’t adjust, and drivers react more slowly when driver assist is engaged.
- Be on the lookout for wet surfaces. Ice can form on surfaces when temperatures are as high as 39 degrees.
If you are on the road, remember this if you slide.
“First thing you want to do if you happen to hit black ice or an icy patch, you want to make sure not to brake suddenly,” said David Childers, owner of 10 and 2 Traffic School. “You want to release the accelerator or gas pedal, let it come down on its speed. If you happen to go into a spin, you want to do what we call slight counter spins. You don’t want to over-correct. You want to make the right corrections to regain control.”
Check your tires
It’s also important to check your tire pressure on cold days.
Colder temperatures can cause tire pressure to drop 1 PSI for every 10 degrees the temperature dips.
In Florida, that means if temperatures drop from the 90s to the 20s, your tires could lose 7 pounds of pressure and that could dramatically change the way your car handles.
How to de-ice your car
You might want to give yourself a few extra minutes getting out the door this week in case you need to de-ice your car.
Ice on your door or your windshield might slow you down, but you need to be careful how you remove it so you don’t damage your car.
For the door, try pouring lukewarm water on the ice to melt it. Do not use hot water because it might damage the paint.
If the layer of ice is thin, you might be able to crack it just by pushing on the door.
For your windshield, the best way to defrost the glass is to start your engine and set your heater to defrost. Then, set your airflow to recirculate and make sure to set the temperature control to full heat.
There are several things you should never do when defrosting the windshield:
Don’t use hot water, a hair dryer or any form of flame because the thermal shock is likely to crack the glass
Don’t use a metal scraper or any other tool that might leave permanent scratches