WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — With snow and ice in the forecast, state and local police are advising drivers to be extra cautious on roadways overnight and Thursday morning.
Ice presents unique and dangerous challenges for drivers as compared to snow.
Would you know what to do if you start losing control of your vehicle on ice?
28/22 News spoke with state and local police for answers.
There were no issues Wednesday afternoon as 28/22 News were overlooking Interstate-81 near the Blackman Street exit near Wilkes-Barre.
However, that is likely to change in a big way overnight and on Thursday.
As many in northeastern Pennsylvania are aware, driving on an ice-covered road is totally different than driving on a snow-covered road.
Folks who live or travel through northeastern and central Pennsylvania are all too familiar with how winter driving can indeed be a challenge, especially when it comes to ice.
Road restrictions set on PA roads ahead of Thursday storm
"Ice is really bad to drive on. You have no traction at all. Your four-wheel drive doesn't mean anything," said Wilkes-Barre resident Ralph Hughes.
Ralph Hughes from Wilkes-Barre says he always pays close attention to the 28/22 News Weather Forecast.
"We're really going to see a whole mix of everything to deal with this system. Everything from snow to start we're going to see that change over to sleet and freezing rain," 28/22 News Morning Meteorologist Logan Westrope explained Wednesday morning.
"Don't slam on your brakes," said PSP Hazleton Trooper Anthony Petroski.
28/22 News spoke with Trooper Petroski from the state police headquarters in Hazleton.
"We're driving down I-80, your car is starting to fishtail a little bit, you start to realize you're probably on ice. What should you do?" 28/22 News I-Team Reporter Andy Mehalshick asked.
"Yes, don't hit the brakes. Don't hit the brakes. Don't hit the gas. Take your foot off completely. Drive into the curve into the turn. The way you're spinning. Hopefully, you will regain control. Pullover until you regain your composure. Then get back on the road safely," Trooper Petroski explained.
28/22 News also spent some time on the road with Butler Township Police Chief William Feissner. He has been investigating crashes for some 30 years.
He says many of them involve four-wheel drive vehicles because he says the drivers assume they have an advantage on ice with four-wheel drive, but that's not the case.
"Four-wheel drive doesn't have traction. Two-wheel doesn't have traction. It's not going to improve anything. That's the difference of driving on snow and driving on ice," Chief Feissner explained.
Chief Feissner and Trooper Petroski say less is more when comes to driving on snow and especially ice: Slow down.
