# Help this Texas native not worry about driving home New Years days... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 30, 2017, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580 "2017-12-30T16:22:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2017, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/1 "2017-12-30T16:22:02Z")
Currently in Tulsa, will be driving home NY day. Weather man says zero precipitation, still though, makes me kind of nervous. What happens if I hit a patch of ice going 70mph? Am I being overly paranoid? ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2017, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/2 "2017-12-30T16:37:27Z")
As long as there is no precipitation falling, it should be fine. As cold as it’s going to be, the roads will be clear. Just don’t run out of gas. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/3 "2017-12-30T17:01:32Z")
Don’t go 70 on overpasses. The ground is still warm enough that the roads should not be too icy. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/4 "2017-12-30T17:03:06Z")
Turn West. Screw Texas. It’s red for a reason. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2017, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/5 "2017-12-30T18:58:21Z")
Where in Texas? Stick to interstates if you can. No sudden stops or starts, and watch for black ice. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2017, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/6 "2017-12-30T19:01:00Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > Where in Texas? Stick to interstates if you can. No sudden stops or starts, and watch for black ice. Dallas. How does one watch for black ice? (No snark intended) ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/7 "2017-12-30T19:07:44Z")
If you think there’s a chance for ice on the road do not use cruise control. If you start slipping, the first thing to do is take your foot off the gas, cruise control will prevent this vital measure. As mentioned above, overpasses freeze first. Mainly, just be careful when you’re turning or stopping. ETA: And leaving out of Tulsa have some Emmylou Harris playing for the luva Pete. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Bbaz_T6BN3g/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGFkgRyhlMA8=&rs=AOn4CLB63XnApIO4pIkxod7XtEWVBTNWBw "Tulsa Queen, Emmylou Harris") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbaz_T6BN3g) ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2017, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/8 "2017-12-30T19:10:31Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Dallas. > > How does one watch for black ice? (No snark intended) If the road looks wet, but the temperature is below freezing, there may be black ice. When in doubt, GENTLY apply the brakes (at a low speed), to test the available traction. ---
**Author:** ![txjim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f07891/32.png) [@txjim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txjim)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2017, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/9 "2017-12-30T20:32:36Z")
A little rough sleet and you’re OK. Anything more and ask yourself: Do you REALLY want to be on US75 on glare ice? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/10 "2017-12-31T00:27:15Z")
You don’t _have_ to go 70, you know. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/11 "2017-12-31T00:47:52Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > You don’t _have_ to go 70, you know. Apparently you have never been to Texas. The only time you do not _have_ to go 70 is on those stretches of the interstate where the speed limit is 80. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/12 "2017-12-31T01:19:29Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Dallas. > > How does one watch for black ice? (No snark intended) Sometimes you can feel the tires lose their grip. If that happens, take your foot of the gas, and gently apply the brakes if there are any turns or instructions ahead. If you need to turn, steer gently, well in advance of need. Yeah, as mentioned above, black ice looks wet. But I find I usually feel it. ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/13 "2017-12-31T01:26:03Z")
> [@txjim](#): > > A little rough sleet and you’re OK. Anything more and ask yourself: Do you REALLY want to be on US75 on glare ice? For 75, I’d probably be a lot more worried about the Oklahoma portions that are non-interstate-like rather than Texas portions. Anything south of Durant, and I’d probably be worried more about tired/hungover people returning from the casino than black ice. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/14 "2017-12-31T05:24:35Z")
To help relieve these kind of worries, just take I-44 to Okla. City and I-35 home, instead of 69-75. No worries about grade crossings, lots of trucks that keep the pavement dry and clear, and a more forgiving environment should you ever leave the pavement. It’s only 20 miles longer, and with no stoplights in Atoka or Durant, about the same driving time. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/15 "2017-12-31T06:25:20Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Apparently you have never been to Texas. The only time you do not _have_ to go 70 is on those stretches of the interstate where the speed limit is 80. I am a bit confused by this (and I have not been to Texas.) I live in Michigan. The speed limit on most freeways is 70mph. When there is bad weather, not everyone goes 70. Some people go 55. It’s perfectly possible to drive at 55mph on a road where some people are going 70mph and not cause a problem, as long as you stay to the right. In fact, most large trucks drive 55mph. The only time they cause a problem is when they try to pass slower trucks by moving into the speed lane. Is there something about Texas that makes this impossible to replicate? I would not advise driving 70mph if there is any possibility of ice on the roads. That is especially true if you are inexperienced with driving in this kind of weather. Even as a Michigan native it takes me a few days every season to remember what it’s like to drive on snowy/icy roads. Also, just a protip - if you start to skid, turn _into_ the skid. It’s totally counterintuitive but I swear it works. If you fight the skid you’ll be in trouble. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/16 "2017-12-31T06:45:33Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Am I being overly paranoid? Not really, you probably don’t have a lot of experience on icy roads, and I don’t know that either state has much experience in treating them, and it doesn’t seem likely there will be enough traffic on a holiday to keep the roads ice free. Keep it slow, watch out for other cars loosing control, and remember that “Jesus take the wheel” is figurative. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/17 "2017-12-31T11:48:42Z")
If the speed limit is 70 and you go 60 (yes, in Texas), you will have the road all to yourself most of the time as everyone else whizzes past you. I made a long commute to school on IH-35 over a 12-month period years ago, and this rule worked great for me. ---
**Author:** ![Hector\_St\_Clare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@Hector\_St\_Clare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hector_St_Clare)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/18 "2017-12-31T17:33:43Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I am a bit confused by this (and I have not been to Texas.) > > I live in Michigan. The speed limit on most freeways is 70mph. When there is bad weather, not everyone goes 70. Some people go 55. It’s perfectly possible to drive at 55mph on a road where some people are going 70mph and not cause a problem, as long as you stay to the right. In fact, most large trucks drive 55mph. The only time they cause a problem is when they try to pass slower trucks by moving into the speed lane. I’ve sometimes driven at 30-35 mph on the interstate when winter weather is _really_ bad. Driving fast under adverse conditions is a very bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/19 "2017-12-31T17:47:07Z")
> [@Hector\_St\_Clare](#): > > I’ve sometimes driven at 30-35 mph on the interstate when winter weather is _really_ bad. Driving fast under adverse conditions is a very bad idea. Yeah, in cases of whiteout sometimes you have to slow down even more, or even pull over. On my local freeway, there’s usually people in SUVs and F150s doing the speed limit no matter the weather, and for all I know they have superior traction or something, but if most people are going under 50, I will also go under 50. I have snow tires but I drive a small economy car that will likely result in instant death if I’m in a bad collision. There’s no reason to get cocky in bad weather. Slower speed, longer brake times, more distance between cars, slower turns, and no sudden stops. Yes, it sucks that you spend more time on the road, but spending more time on the road is preferable to crippling or fatal injury. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580/20 "2017-12-31T19:40:01Z")
Don’t leave if anything is falling out of the sky. One day and the weather will be different in Texas. I wouldn’t drive in the south on icy roads, at all. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-texas-native-not-worry-about-driving-home-new-years-days/805580.md?page=2)