HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- As southeast Texas awaits freezing weather in the next week, local transportation agencies say they are keeping a close eye on the forecast.
The TxDOT Houston office says it is getting continual updates from the National Weather Service as we head into the weekend.
The Harris County Toll Road Authority is also watching the forecast and says its crews are prepared to implement closures and detours, and if necessary, treat any roads deemed impassable due to ice.
METRO Houston says it is waiting for the forecast to become clearer before moving forward with any plans to accommodate winter weather conditions.
AAA Texas advises drivers to prepare vehicles now, including checking the tire tread, windshield wipers, and battery before freezing temperatures move into the region.
Part of dealing with winter weather is the treacherous driving conditions. ABC13's Elissa Rivas gave us some reminders about driving if you have to in snow and ice.
When it comes to driving on icy roads, AAA Texas says the first mistake is often overconfidence. Many people simply driving as normal, thinking conditions are fine until they hit that patch of ice.
Give yourself additional driving distance, which means 2 to 3 times more than normal. Also, be aware of vehicles next to you due to the danger of sliding. You'll also want to brake and accelerate slowly. If you hit ice and start to slide, try to stay calm.
"Make sure you're looking and steering in the direction that you want the vehicle to go and steer into that skid," Daniel Armbruster with AAA Texas said. "So if the back of your vehicle starts to veer left, you want to slightly turn to the left. Don't do it too quickly."
Giving yourself extra time to travel is important, as it may take an extra 15 minutes just to get the ice off your windshield.
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