If you need to drive on icy roads in Texas winter storm, police offer these tips
Fort Worth police are preparing for the first approaching winter storm of 2026, with ice accumulations and 2 to 5 inches of snow predicted beginning Friday night.
The Police Department will have “all hands on deck,” and officers from various units will come together to help on the streets as needed, depending on demand, Officer Bradley Perez told the Star-Telegram.
North Texas will see widespread rain on Friday that will gradually turn into sleet and freezing rain starting along the Red River in mid-afternoon and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex late Friday night or early Saturday, followed by snow, the National Weather Service has forecast.
Road conditions are likely to be hazardous throughout the weekend, and authorities urge drivers to stay home unless travel is necessary. Road conditions across the state can be viewed online at drivetexas.org.
What should you do in case of a car crash?
Anyone involved in a traffic crash who is injured, has an inoperable vehicle, is stranded or in a dangerous situation should call 911 immediately, Perez said.
“We’ll certainly do everything we can to get there as quickly as we can,” he said.
The Fort Worth Police Department expects to be “inundated with many calls as the weather comes in and the accidents begin to occur,” he said. If drivers are involved in a minor accident where there are no injuries, and the vehicles are drivable, then police request that residents exchange insurance information and let the insurance companies handle it instead of calling 911.
For those who are not familiar or experienced with driving in inclement weather, “especially icy conditions, go slow. You’re not going to get anywhere if you end up getting in an accident,” Perez said.
“Especially when it comes to overpasses, people believe the roads are fine without realizing it freezes over first, and that’s when, unfortunately, a lot of people will lose control,” he said.
Perez said the department is trying to educate the public as much as possible through social media platforms by providing cold weather tips.
The Police Department wants drivers to exercise caution, reduce speed and increase the distance between their car and the one in front, according to a social media post.
Drivers are asked to avoid taking sharp turns or making sudden stops if possible and watch out for ice or other road hazards.
“Even if you are a very cautious driver, and even if you yourself have not gotten yourself involved in a wreck, you may be stuck anyway if there’s a wreck in front of you,” Perez said. “So obviously, use as much precaution as possible.”
“Be as prepared as you can be for inclement weather, both at home and in your vehicle — pack a blanket, have some water in there; just have some things to keep you warm if needed, until police or a tow truck can arrive to assist you,” he said.
At home, residents are advised to keep pipes from bursting by dripping the faucets, bring any pets indoors, stock up on extra drinkable water and check on your neighbors.
“If you don’t have to get out, don’t. If you can work from home, or if you can take the day off … don’t get out,” Perez said.
How can you stay safe at home?
The Fort Worth Fire Department wants to make sure residents are aware and paying attention to their space heaters and other fire risks at home, spokesperson Craig Trojacek said told the Star-Telegram Thursday afternoon.
Trojacek said the department recommends checking a perimeter to make sure that there’s nothing within three feet of those space heaters.
People sometimes use their propane stoves to provide a source of heat, but firefighters do not recommend that. Malfunctioning fireplaces and chimneys inside can also create a risk of starting fires within homes, he said.
Fire officials recommend residents have carbon monoxide detectors and make sure to check the batteries in those, Trojacek said.
“We need people to know not to be scared to dial 911, if it’s an emergency like smoke detectors are going off or carbon monoxide detectors going off in your home,” he said.
Carbon monoxide is colorless, tasteless, you can’t smell it – “it’s known as the silent killer” because of those reasons, Trojacek said.
He said some of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headaches, nausea, “they kind of mirror symptoms of the flu.”
For people who use generators if power goes out in their homes, Trojacek said, fire officials recommend having them about 25 feet away from any doors and windows and placed outside. “Do not use generators inside of your home,” he said.
“People, if you do not have to be out on the road, stay at home,” Trojacek said. “We are committed to doing everything we have to do to keep people safe in the city of Fort Worth.”
This story was originally published January 22, 2026 at 12:19 PM.