Icy Roads Likely in Severna Park

The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement for much of the Baltimore-Washington region, including Severna Park, stating that icy road conditions were likely overnight into Sunday.

"Any untreated surfaces that were previously wet or slushy from the snow melt that occurred Saturday afternoon will refreeze," the weather service reported.

Drivers should leave extra distance between cars and reduce their speeds, especially being cautious on secondary roads, bridges and overpasses, according to the weather service.

Have you noticed icy roads around Severna Park? Tell us in the comments!

Here are some driving tips from one of our Connecticut Patch editors:

Don’t slam on your brakes. If you’re sliding on a patch of ice, hitting the brakes harder won’t stop you. Experts advise that you go against your natural tendencies an turn into the skid. You also need to accelerate. Learn more about how to safely brake in snow and how to exit a skid here.

Slow down. Driving too quickly for the conditions is the biggest cause of snow crashes, according to Edmunds.com.

Leave room. It can take a driver twice as long (and twice as much space) to stop a vehicle when driving in snow versus driving on dry pavement. You should leave twice as much room as you normally would between you and other vehicles on the road.

Or, don’t drive. If you can avoid driving in when roads are covered in snow or ice, that’s probably your safest bet. Walk when it is safe to do so.

Have an emergency kit and good supplies. In the winter months, AAA recommends that you keep the following items in your vehicle:

• A bag of abrasive material like sand, salt or kitty litter to sprinkle under your tires if you get stuck.
• A small snow shovel.
• An ice scraper.
• Windshield washer fluid.
• Jumper cables.
• Extra-warm items like blankets, hats and gloves.
• Water and snack food.
• First-aid kit.