What’s the best way to drive in snow and ice? Don’t.
That’s ideal, but not always possible. With more than 7 inches of snowfall recorded for Louisville and more to come on Monday, some commuters might still need to be on the road.
Before you scrape the ice off your windshield and get into your vehicle, you might want to check if road conditions are safe. Here’s how to do that in Kentucky and how to stay safe if you have to drive.
Live updates: Louisville remains under winter storm warning Monday
How to check road conditions on Kentucky highways
Find the latest traffic alerts from the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety at goky.ky.gov.
Has my street been plowed? How to track live snow removal in Louisville
The Louisville/Jefferson County Information Consortium maintains a map showing which roads are on the metro snow route and which have been plowed and salted. View it at apps.lojic.org/metrosnowroutes.
How can you reduce risk while driving in snow?
Don’t be a jerk (no, really). The key to safe driving when there’s ice on the road, writes Car And Driver Magazine, is operating the steering wheel, accelerator and brakes as smoothly as possible. Jerky movements — twisting the wheel suddenly or slamming your foot on the brake or gas pedal — can throw your vehicle into a skid.
Above all, keep the following in mind when driving through snowy, icy weather:
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🚨Watch for brake lights ahead of your from other vehicles
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↔️ Leave more space between cars
What to do if your vehicle goes into a skid
If your vehicle begins to go into a skid on an icy road, do the following:
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Take your foot off the accelerator and do not slam the brakes.
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Look at the direction you want to go, not where your car is headed.
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For a front-wheel skid, writes Car and Driver Magazine, aim your vehicle where you want to go. Gently turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid. If you’re in a rear-wheel skid — where the rear tires lose traction and you feel yourself spinning out — turn the steering wheel in the same direction that the rear is sliding. For example, if your rear wheels are sliding to the left, turn the wheel to the left.
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Tap the brakes, lightly, when necessary to self-correct out of the skid.
How to prepare for winter driving
Staying safe on Indiana’s roads during a winter storm can depend largely on how well you’re prepared. The Indiana Department of Transportation offers these tips:
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Knowledge: Before leaving home, find out about the driving conditions. Safe drivers know the weather, and their limits. If the weather is bad remember, “ice and snow, take it slow,” or just don’t go.
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Clear: Remove any snow on your vehicle’s windows, lights, brake lights and signals. Make sure you can see and be seen.
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Inspect: Check your vehicle’s tires, wiper blades, fluids, lights, belts and hoses. A breakdown is bad on a good day and dangerous on a bad-weather day.
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Time: Leave plenty of time to reach your destination safely. It’s not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to be on time.
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Kit: Keep a basic winter survival kit in your vehicle, including a flashlight, batteries, blanket, snacks, water, gloves, boots, and a first-aid kit. Load your car with winter travel gear, including tire chains, ice scraper/snowbrush, jumper cables and road flares.
Weather info you need
🚨 Indiana Weather Alerts: Warnings, Watches and Advisories.
⚡ Indiana power outage map: How to check your status.
💻 Internet outages: How to track them.
🚫 What you should and shouldn’t do when the power is out.
🐶 Your neighbor left their pet outside. Who you should call.
🏠 It’s cold outside! Where to find shelter.
Live weather radar for Louisville area
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John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville road conditions could make commute challenging. How to stay safe