Driving tips for those that have to hit the road this weekend

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Department of Public Safety advises drivers to stay off of the roads, but to be very cautious if driving is necessary during winter weather.

ATLANTA — This weekend’s winter weather is expected to bring more ice than snow across Georgia — and that means dangerous travel conditions, especially for drivers who aren’t used to icy roads.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety is urging people to stay home whenever possible to give road crews and first responders the space they need to work.

But for anyone who must travel — including essential workers — DPS Captain and professional driver Crystal Zion shared several key safety tips.

Slow down — and look far ahead

Zion says the biggest mistake drivers make on icy roads is not adjusting their speed.

“With snow and ice — slow down,” she said. “Those roads are slippery. You have to give yourself more time to react… it’s going to take you longer to get stopped.”

She added that drivers should keep their eyes far down the road, especially on bridges and overpasses, which freeze first.

Main roads will be cleared first

Essential workers should expect neighborhood streets to remain icy longer.

Highways and major corridors are treated first, meaning side roads and subdivisions will be the most difficult to navigate.

If you start to slide — don’t panic

Zion stressed that staying calm is critical. “Get off the brake, get off the gas and let the vehicle settle,” she said. “You’re not going to be able to put any steering input into it while it’s sliding on ice.”

Once the vehicle settles, she says to counter-steer or steer against the skid and to make gentle corrections — all while staying at slow speeds.