Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officials are urging residents to plan ahead as winter weather is expected this weekend across the southeast United States.
The winter weather is expected to begin in north Alabama on Friday, January 23 and is expected to expand to other parts of Alabama. The winter weather is expected to cause slick roads and black ice.
“Black ice is one of the most dangerous hazards drivers face because it’s often invisible,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “Roads may look wet but can be slick in an instant, especially overnight and during early morning hours. Preparing now and adjusting travel plans, in addition to practicing safe driving behaviors, can prevent serious crashes.”
Motorists are being encouraged to take time now to prepare their vehicles and emergency supplies, like keeping their gas tank full, packing an emergency supply kit, carrying a fully charged phone and vehicle charger, checking antifreeze levels, tires and overall vehicle conditions, and using windshield washer fluids rated for freezing temperatures.
Drivers should also understand that hazardous conditions are not limited to snow-covered roads.
“In Central and South Alabama, rain combined with freezing temperatures can create slick roadways just as dangerous as ice or snow,” said Director of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety (DPS), Colonel Jonathan Archer. “Bridges, overpasses, shaded areas and elevated roadways can freeze quickly, turning a routine drive into a serious risk.”
ALEA says motorists should avoid travel when hazardous conditions develop, if possible. If you can’t avoid travel, slow down and increase following distance on wet, icy or slick roads and avoid using cruise control or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and traffic jam assist in rain, freezing temperatures or icy conditions.
They encourage motorists to use extreme caution on bridges and overpasses, which freeze before other roadways, be alert for changing conditions, especially overnight and early morning, and turn on headlights during rain or reduced visibility and remain alert for emergency vehicles and first responders.
The agency says they will be closely monitoring roadway conditions and coordinating with partner agencies,including the Alabama Department of Transportation, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, and the Alabama National Guard as conditions develop across the state.
Motorists are encouraged to check current road conditions at algotraffic.com and to follow ALEA on social media.