Icy conditions across New York state can bring a number of concerns, including one of the most important, driver safety.

Mike Sweeney is a traffic safety educator for AAA and says when it comes to ice, drivers need to be cautious.

What You Need To Know

  • Take the time to fully defrost your car and windows before driving

  • Leave yourself ample time and space while driving

  • Be careful when driving behind salt and plow trucks

“Driving on ice is not really something you can prepare for because you don’t really have the ability at all to stop on sheer ice,” Sweeney said.

Sweeney advises everyone to reconsider if their travel is essential before leaving the house.

And for those who do deem it necessary to drive, he says to take your time.

“When you go out onto those roads go very slowly, giving yourself tons of space,” Sweeney said. “Getting there in one piece, but taking, longer is well worth it. Rather than saying, ‘oh, I think it’s just wet on this road, I think I can go 10 or 15 miles an hour faster.’ The tortoise wins this race, not the heir.”

As crews continue to salt and plow the roads throughout the day and into the night, Sweeney says to stay back and let the trucks do their job.

“One question people have is how do I get around the plowed or the sander. Your best bet is to not go around the sander,” Sweeney said. “Stay back and it may take longer but at least you’re moving and you are safe. You know you are on a treated road because you’re behind the vehicle treating the road.”

With temperatures dropping again into Sunday evening and early Monday morning, ice is likely to form again.

And for anyone who finds themselves on icy roads, Sweeney says there is one thing to remember.

“When in doubt, if you feel like you lost grip on that roadway, get off the brake pedal and steer to avoid, or steer to hit something that’s going to be less harmful to you and it, then something else,” Sweeney said.