Got stripes on your roads? That’s a sure sign that its time to get off Instagram and tune into The Weather Channel. Highway departments across the country use a chemical compound known as brine to actually prevent the roads from icing. Brine, which is cheaper than salt and gravel treatments can work its way into crevices of the roadways where salt rocks and gravel cannot. It has been proven as an effective treatment for anti-icing.
VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) was hard at work on Thursday, preparing our major roads for today’s potential wintry storm. If your seeing lines like the one’s in the above picture, that means that highway safety crews are preparing for slick, dangerous conditions with brine. I I like the preventative approach to any potentially treacherous situation, rather than a reactive approach. Preventing car accidents and serious injuries in the first place is by far the best strategy.
What if anti-icing isn’t enough?
In the event, the brine treatment isn’t enough, and roads become covered with ice and snow, the transportation departments will begin a de-icing procedure. De-icing is meant to remove already formed ice and snow from the pavement. The first de-icing component is to drop a wet solution of rock salt directly onto the snow covered roadways. This solution is meant to break up the ice and keep it from sticking to the roadways. This will cause the ice and snow to melt at a faster rate if temperatures allow and for snow plows to remove the snowy debris more easily without packing it down. Vehicles, particularly those equipped with 4 wheel drive, will also be able to navigate more easily through the icy slush.
I have a 4WD vehicle. Isn’t that enough?
No. AWD and 4WD are not enough. What is the best tool to aid you in driving in wintry conditions? Driver experience.
If you lack experience, you should opt to stay home if possible. Simply buying a vehicle with 4WD won’t make you a better driver in the snow, it will only make you look like you might know what you’re doing.
If you own a 4WD and know that you will need to travel tough terrain no matter the weather, then its best to schedule some practice days before you’re in an emergency situation. Practicing will help you learn how to utilize the vehicle’s equipment and make adjustments according to the roadway conditions.
Review your owner’s manual to find out how to shift the vehicle from 4 High to 4 Low. Our vehicle requires that the driver bring the vehicle to a full stop, press the brake pedal, shift into Neutral, and then shift the vehicle to 4 Low. Some vehicles allow you to shift on the “fly”. Your manual will also have recommendations on when to use the shift differential and when to turn it off. Pay attention to those as well. Following these manufacturer recommendations may prevent costly damage and help you travel safely.
Stay safe my friends! As always, The Thomson Law Firm is open and available to represent victims of personal injury. We offer FREE consultations. Call or text (540) 777-4900.
We currently serve accident victims in Virginia and West Virginia. If your accident occurred in Virginia or West Virginia, call a lawyer who is licensed in those states.
