Video: Icy Roads Prove to be Dangerous for Drivers

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LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Icy roads lead to very dangerous situations for drivers.  Mississippi Highway Patrol experienced this firsthand Tuesday.

” Some of these bridges caught some people by surprise. We had multiple crashes on bridges. As WCBI reported earlier, we had a fatal accident in Lowndes County,” said Sgt. Criss Turnipseed, Public Information Office for Troop G.

Law enforcement says when driving on bridges and topping 55 to 60 miles per hour in icy conditions, it’s nearly impossible to avoid skidding. However, there are some things you can do to protect yourself. One: slow down before approaching a bridge.

“If you’re driving along with your foot on the gas, trying to maintain speed. When you hit that bridge, those tires lose traction and begin to spin. It begins to throw your car out of the point of direction you’re traveling and sends you in any direction. Also when you brake, if you brake on a bridge and your car loses traction, that’s going to send you out of control,” said Sgt. Turnipseed.

Also, just because you don’t see the ice, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

” Don’t take for granted that a bridge is satisfactory to drive on. As I approach bridges I don’t touch the gas or the breaks. I coast across bridges. Let the momentum of the car carry you across,” said Sgt. Turnipseed.

So if you don’t need to be on the roads, stay off.

” If authorities see that roadways could possibly be dangerous or icy, heed that warning. Don’t take a chance, it’s not worth a chance,” Sgt. Turnipseed.

Another tip: if you’re driving on icy roads, don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble.

Also, allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.