Icy roads drive concern amid Texas winter weather
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Roads are being prepared over the next two days in anticipation of icy winter storms across Texas. Meteorologists are now forecasting an increased certainty of a wintry mix between Wednesday and Friday.
Officials are concerned about a possible increase in crashes during the winter event. With good reason: the record for most traffic accidents in a single day, 460, was set during the 2023 ice storm. The previous record, 440 incidents, was set during the 2021 winter storm.
"Stay home, avoid travel. If you must travel, make sure to check the weather," said Kellen Mohrmann, a spokesperson with the Texas Department of Transportation, or TxDOT.
TXDOT is already out pretreating roads across the state with brine, a salt water mixture that must be applied ahead of winter weather. The mixture can be applied 12 to 48 hours before a storm.
"Even with treatment of the roadways, winter weather is unpredictable, and so we advise drivers to stay off the roadways," Mohrmann said.
Winter storm lessons
Morhmann said that the two major previous storms taught her district to be self-reliant. They've stockpiled brine and magnesium chloride, "a salt like substance that can be used to melt ice and snow."
The agency has added snowplows and blades to its arsenal. Blades are big machines with a wedge at the front designed to scrape ice from the roads.
In 2023, the Austin district added three snowplows to the team. In 2024, it added two more.
The agency has also placed crews across the region to better address emergencies.
"We do have maintenance offices located in each of our 11 counties, and so they will also prioritize major roadways in their area. So in Burnet County, for example, State Highway 29 would be prioritized," Mohrmann said.
Tips ahead of the freeze
While TxDOT advises avoiding the roads, there are some tips if you must drive.
First, Mohrmann asks that drives give plenty of room for emergency vehicles and TxDOT crews. Second, create plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Finally, go slow.
"It's okay to go 35 on 35," Mohrmann said.
You can learn more about current road conditions and closures here on KXAN.com and on TxDOT's website: drivetexas.org.