West Texas doesn't get enough ice and snow to make us great at driving in these wintry conditions. Sometimes the best thing is to avoid travel if at all possible. If you absolutely must go out, please continue reading for safe driving tips in this weather.
San Angelo Police Dispatch has advised us about the following Winter Weather Crash Statistics:
  • 6PM Tuesday night until 2AM Wednesday morning: 55 reported crashes.
  • 2AM Wednesday morning until 2PM: 46 reported crashes.
  • 3AM Wednesday morning: 31 calls for service to "assist motorist" (most likely from sliding off the roadway, etc.)

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) crews in the San Angelo District are treating bridges and roadways this evening and will continue working through the night. Counties reporting the most sleet and ice include Glasscock, Sterling, Runnels and Tom Green.

Travel in these areas is highly discouraged until conditions improve. Multiple crashes have been reported in these counties as conditions continue to deteriorate.

The San Angelo District includes the following counties: Glasscock, Sterling, Coke, Runnels, Reagan, Irion, Tom Green, Concho, Menard, Schleicher, Crockett, Sutton, Kimble, Edwards and Real.
Drivers are strongly encouraged to check road conditions before deciding to travel and travel is strongly discouraged.
Road conditions can be found by accessing:
  •   TxDOT’s toll-free highway condition line at (800)-452-9292
  •   TxDOT’s facebook page (Facebook.com/TxDOT)
  •   and/or TxDOT’s Twitter account (Twitter.com/TxDOT) or @ TxDOTSanAngelo
Sleet, ice and freezing rain can create extremely dangerous driving conditions, which is why the Texas Department of Transportation strongly advises drivers to stay off the roads as much as possible. If drivers must be on the road, please remember to:
  • Reduce speed
  • Increase following distance
  • Use extra caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses
  • Stay back at least 200 feet from vehicles treating roadways
  • If you start to slide, ease off the gas pedal or brakes and steer in to direction of skid
  • Avoid unnecessary travel
Drivers are urged to follow these precautions:
  • Reduce speed. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not winter road conditions. Do not use cruise control.
  • Maintain at least three times the normal following distance on snow or ice.
  • Watch carefully for personnel and equipment treating roadways, and stay at least 200 feet back from road crews.
  • Use extra caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses and shaded areas as they tend to freeze first.
  • Carry extra warm coats, gloves and boots in case you get stranded.
  • If you start to slide, ease off the gas pedal or brakes. Steer into the direction of the skid until you feel you have regained traction, then straighten your vehicle.
TxDOT road crews will continue to monitor roads 24/7 until conditions improve.

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