| Tony Hartzel: Icy weather no time for speed record 12/31/2000 By / The Dallas Morning News The threat of ice and freezing rain apparently can't stop some commuters from speeding to their appointed rounds.
A few days ago, forecasters warned of pending danger. While much of it never materialized, it seemed that many drivers had either turned a deaf ear to the warnings or liked to gamble with their multiton machines.
Trust a driver who's been there. It can happen in an instant.
Fortunately, my encounter with black ice and a concrete barrier on the Dallas North Tollway a few years back caused only about $1,000 damage to my Geo Tracker. Usually, losing control at 60 mph on an icy road leads to much worse.
So while I drove a steady 50 mph this week, many drivers zoomed past at 70 mph or faster.
The recent wintry weather prompted other tips. I, for one, finally listened.
First, don't follow too closely. Motorists often can't stop in time and slide underneath the sand trucks, Dallas sanding crew supervisors Reggy Moody and Mike Johnson said. Sand and salt help with traction, but ice often lies below it.
"These are seasoned drivers we have, and they run 30 mph," Mr. Moody said.
Next, know how to brake on ice. Slamming on brakes only leads to skidding out of control. Pumping brakes is safer, unless your vehicle has antilock brakes. Skidding after braking also may mean a driver followed too closely.
As one colleague who is experienced with winter driving pointed out, once you know how to brake properly, you can drive a bit faster in bad conditions. North Texas drivers know how to put the pedal to the metal, but I don't think most know how to brake on ice and snow.
Third, be prepared for the worst. AAA Texas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, suggests carrying an emergency kit. The kit should include a flashlight; traction mats or bag of sand or cat litter; shovel; blanket; jumper cables; ice scraper; flares or reflective triangles; and a car phone.
I also like to fill up my gas tank. That helps prevent gas line freezing and adds weight and traction to my small truck.
Finally, brush off accumulated ice and snow from the roof and hood of vehicles. Once airborne, those hunks of snow can be dangerous on the freeway.
For those wondering how much the city and state have budgeted for ice and snow removal, officials for both say they have plenty of sand and funding available. A 24-hour sanding operation costs about $40,000 to $50,000, but 10 days of bad weather would drain the snow and ice budget considerably, said Tony De La Cruz, Dallas' assistant director for street operations.
Tony Hartzel can be reached at P.O. Box 655237, Dallas, TX 75265 or at .
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