Sleet, Freezing Rain Lead To Slippery Conditions On RI Roads

Overnight snow, sleet and freezing rain led to a messy morning commute on roadways across the state. While there wasn't much snow accumulation, a thin glaze of ice is all it took to make roads dangerous for drivers.

Across the state, dozens of school districts canceled or delayed classes on Tuesday, while city and town officials across the state declared parking bans to help get roads clear.

According to the Rhode Island State Police, officers were called to seven crashes between midnight and 7 a.m. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation, meanwhile, reported vehicle spinouts on highways around the state all morning long, mostly in the interior, northern half of the state such as Cranston, Providence and Lincoln.

When driving in slippery winter conditions, the department offered the following suggestions to plan ahead and stay safe:

• Avoid any unnecessary travel, especially when snow is falling the heaviest.
• Plan ahead and leave extra time to get to your destination.
• Make sure your car is ready for winter driving conditions. Before bad weather hits, check the tires, anti-freeze, battery, brakes, heater, exhaust system and lights.
• Top off your gas tank before bad weather hits.
• Minimize distractions, especially phone calls or texts, when driving in bad weather.
• Leave extra space between your car and the vehicle in front of you to allow for longer stopping distances.
• Slow down, especially when there is decreased viability and/or traction.
• Always turn on headlights when snow or rain is falling: if your wipers are on, your headlights should be, too.