Temperatures Close to Freezing? Watch out For Ice and Slick Roads

It’s a chilly time of year in Kentucky, and that means that the roads are going to be a little slicker than usual. While widely traveled highways like I-75 may not have many issues in term of slick surfaces, the back roads are a completely different situation. Whether you’re taking an alternative route to head toward Cincinnati or have to take a snow route due to an unexpected snowfall, you need to be aware of the risk of sliding, fishtailing and potentially going off the road or crashing.

The good news is that it’s relatively easy to prevent these car accidents with a little winter weather knowledge. For example, do you know at what temperature the ground freezes? Here’s more information to help.

Did You Know that Roadways Can Be Slick While Above Freezing?

You need to pay close attention to the temperatures. Any time the temperature is near or below freezing, you need to expect patches of ice and slick conditions. Sleet and snow can create a situation where temperatures drop quickly, so even a 40-degree day could have frozen areas on the roads. Also, keep in mind that your vehicle’s temperature gauge may not be precise, so a reading of 36 degrees might be a few degrees higher than the actual outdoor temperature on the roads.

Keep an eye out for patches of ice, precipitation that could cause a rapid drop in temperature and the actions of other drivers to help prevent crashes. If it seems slick, then slow down, pull over or wait to travel.