Vehicles struggle on icy Houston freeway interchange flyover

Freezing rain created a thin but very slick coating of black ice on bridges in the Houston, Texas metro area on Monday, January 15, 2024. This highway interchange at Jersey Village was especially problematic as drivers became stuck in attempts to avoid sliding into the barrier or each other. Some could not make it up the steep inclines. Copyright Dan Robinson.

[@stormhighwaycom]

Thank you everyone for the shares and comments! The location was the interchange of Highway 290 and Sam Houston Tollway near Jersey Village. For more information on icy road hazards and how to deal with them, be sure to visit my winter driving education site at icyroadsafety.com.

[@mariomosqueda1015]

Just stay off the road people, save money in the bank for days like this , so that you don’t have to work and risk wrecking your vehicle

[@pricelessmakoa4482]

BMW driver was so bad the cop got sick of it and left😭🤣🤣🤣

[@lisazonfrillo9674]

Obviously not from the north east drivers 😂

[@maccoretti51]

🤦‍♂️

[@obsoletecd-rom]

You know they’ll be pulling codes from that car in the next few days.

[@JB-uk7mn]

😂😂😂😂😂 shoulda got the Toyota TRD

[@larrygro]

Looks like they had one foot on the brake and one on the gas. They could turn until they rode their brakes.

[@fontellabriggs4854]

The only time you will ever see everyone driving at or below the posted speed limits

[@jsterling6805]

Not everyone. They have been carting off debris.

[@KenTrosper]

And some still going 10 miles over.

[@P_RO_]

@@jsterling6805 They need to be carting off those drivers too.

[@justdoingitjim7095]

The guy in the dark car @ <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="134">2:14</a>. Every time he started going forward he put his foot on the brake and stopped his front wheels from turning and then couldn't figure out why he'd start sliding! Guy in the pickup was doing the same thing! DON'T RIDE YOUR BRAKE ON THE ICE!

[@ViolentMLG]

Well they're from Houston, they can't drive in weather.

[@aSASa45454]

that might be traction control doing a bad job

[@markwright3161]

@@aSASa45454 Traction control cuts throttle to wheels it think's are spinning too fast, if they're rotating faster than they're propelling the vehicle over a surface. Some systems do brake individual wheels, but they only do that when the wheel is rotating faster than the others. That BMW will be rear wheel drive too, so if traction control was braking any individual wheel, it would be a driven rear wheel as those are the ones that will be spinning if the driver tries to accelerate more than there is grip to enable it. That locked wheel(s) will be fully the driver's foot on the brake pedal. ABS doesn't work at low speeds or when there just isn't enough grip like on ice, with older systems allowing wheels to remain locked up if all 4 do so at once, as those systems compared the wheels speeds against each other to calculate if one was locking up. This is a new enough car for the latter to not be the case, but one or both of the first two will be why its ABS isn't preventing the wheels from locking up.

[@swinde]

The the person was hitting the brakes, why would the rear wheels still be turning? Is the person just lightly pushing the break enough to stop the front wheels on the slick surface while also pressing the gas which allows the rear wheels to operate?

[@rw3008]

Grew up south of Chicago and you learn that rolling friction is greater than sliding friction. Tapping brakes 4/sec will slow you down much faster and safer.

[@JimHerbertOutdoors]

More importantly, rotating front wheels allow you to steer, and non rotating front wheels pushes you straight. Don't hold your brake and try to steer. Ever try it on a bicycle? 😅

[@KB-ke3fi]

See the Chicago newbie's comments above. He's the only one who thinks he moved to Houston in history. I saw the videos' coming out all over the ice areas of the nation this week, and those drivers do the same thing in even bigger pileups, and they should know better.

[@waltj2647]

Home boy, me too, Elgin,IL and lived in Chi as well

[@lhaaa1059]

Oh man, we feel for you, Houston !

[@LiLgPnoy15]

If you're a driver, this is actually pretty scary stuff.

[@adama7070]

Watching from Minnesota, looks like Texans are doing well in this given the roads there are not made for freezing winter, cars readiness for winter, and drives experiences in driving in on black Ice.

[@adama7070]

For us in the Midwest its just winter life .

[@Cameraflyer-]

I didn't see any crashes. It seems like everyone's handling it fairly well.

[@MyNickdanger]

Hey Dan~ Thanks for the video! Peace!~

[@movievaudeville]

Suggestion from a Minnesotan. Sometimes it's better to slowly get off to the side if you can, there's often more grit/trash/etc and less polishing of the surface. Might find some grip there, anyway. That's what I try to do on slick roads, has worked for me.

[@musselmanmedia5236]

missed these videos

[@adama7070]

Watching from Minnesota, looks like Texans are doing well in this given the roads there are not made for freezing winter, cars readiness for winter, and drives experiences in driving in on black Ice.

[@KB-ke3fi]

Thank you. Someone who gets it. Half of the city are people from the north that are getting in highway pileups on ice, and they should know better.

[@carolrice2063]

Houston, We have a Problem !!!!!!!!

[@ernestcotton9324]

i have been in texas during icy weather, reminding people that if you cannot walk on it do not drive on it

[@l.m.overstreet3076]

As a Chicago transplant, seeing the chaos caused by the Houston "deep freeze" is heart-wrenching. Even on a typical day, Houston drivers are known for their recklessness. But with the icy roads, it's bedlam!

[@KB-ke3fi]

Yeah ok sure. You know everyone in Houston is a Chicago transplant...you're not the only one here that moved here. And by the way, I'm watching videos from all over the country right now and there's far worse idiot ice drivers there wrecking all over the place and they should know better. So put a sock in it.

[@sarathmarcus]

Houstonians always blame people that moved there for their cities bad driving. People who were born and raised in Houston are the best drvers in their eyes😂😂.

[@bdizzle9484]

As a native Houstonian…you ain’t lying

[@heaven-is-real]

that bridge is an ice skating rink. Those cars are going sideways.

[@JimHerbertOutdoors]

As a smart Chicago driver- youre not going to be able to steer without your front wheels rotating. You can turn left and right all you want but if your foot is on the brakes and the front wheels are locked up ITS NOT GOING TO TURN 😅. Ever try it on a bicycle? Same shit

[@ge2623]

🤣"Texans on Ice" 🤣

[@maxheadroom8097]

Stop blaming the road and the weather People just need to learn patience and slow down when there is crappy weather

[@Boost_ej1]

Is it me or that guy in the lexus hitting the brakes and gas at the same time

[@kamnapavon4638]

Stay Safe Out there on the Roadways.. There is a lot of Ice and Snow Out there and Looks to Only be going to Increase in the Days Following...

[@purdyboi8078]

Man, You Sure Do Like To Capitalize Your Words An Awful Lot, Don't You?

[@elvante5275]

This happens every year and we still don’t prepare for it

[@ericg4042]

Even in north Georgia they have signs that warn you bridge freezes before road. Common sense tells you when there is soil underneath the road, it's going to ice over.

[@philipjohn1338]

That BMW was really struggling 😁

[@chalabama80]

Was just thinking about your videos😊

[@angeloiv4965]

Bmw guy: Help, my car is sliding on ice intead of rolling straight when I lock my brakes. Cop: I'm out. Natural selection should take care of you.

[@bunsonhoneydew9099]

I used to have a BMW320i and snow tires makes a HUGE difference on those cars in cold weather. Especially on elevated sections of the highway where the cold freezes the road from the top and underneath.

[@Tonetare]

Yea, that car having the most trouble clearly has sporty summer tires which is common down south unlike up here north

[@ae3898]

Yeah ain’t nobody putting snow tires on in Houston.

[@lisagardner5157]

Glad I'm not there 👋

[@cat441]

"Houston, I think we have a problem!!"

[@MrAngryGorilla2000]

That 7 series probably needs better tires. Not always a good idea to drive rwd on ice.

[@maccoretti51]

Needs a brain!

[@realDonaldTrump420]

Needs a driver with an iq.

[@chrisstoddard1144]

It would have done better if they'd had the courage to keep their foot off of the brake pedal. A gentle brake pressure allowed the rear wheels to creep and the front to lock, eliminating the ability to steer.

[@MrAngryGorilla2000]

@@chrisstoddard1144 With my fwd vehicle I always give it momentum 10 mph minimum, and never had issues. In more extreme cases, I woudn't even drive, but it's very rare. If it decides to drift a little bit, I just let off the gas and let the car goes where it wants to go. It will easily get back in traction. some people say to counter steer and gas it, that just makes it worse. I guess it just depends.....

[@glitter_fart]

stay warm everyone

[@eligebrown8998]

Yup and thats why i called in and said i coming yo work today. No job is worth risking your life for.

[@sandraburke1258]

5* De-Icer FREEZES, with the wind chill it was much colder., good job Highway Dept.

[@codymoe4986]

Wind chill doesn't reduce the air temperature. If that were true, why was my thermometer reading 35 degrees warmer than the forecasted wind chill?

[@pinkiepie1656]

Some people dont seem to understand what Wind chill means. It affects humans because we are used to having a thin layer of heat coating our skin. A light breeze will start reducing that layer of heat and make us feel colder.

[@alexalex13131]

I see many cars driving intelligently!!! 1-2 MPH. Congratulations.

[@illegal_space_alien]

And others pushing the gas and brakes at the same time. 🤦‍♂ Put in L gear (or 1st), and idle. Done.

[@jughead156]

Did they even prep the bridges ?

[@drats1279]

When you choose to drive during icy conditions you live with the consequences. No whining, just suck it up.

[@xoxxobob61]

This is about as funny as watching Californians drive in the Rain !

[@houstoner]

I'm a native Houstonian, but have lived in the mountains. I knew to use PTO those days lol

[@Bryan-od7nv]

We call this a Monday in the north.

[@rodneysammons5544]

Truckers not using CB radios to warn other truckers in area not to get on the elevator.

[@Todd.T]

Annual event?

[@baddriversofgeorgia3387]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="135">2:15</a> BMW driver had it for a second but he won't get off the brake. The brake is locking the front wheel

[@dfield3dg]

This is a Clear Example of why they send out Weather Advisory’s stating to Stay Off Of The Roads! 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@jsterling6805]

No comprende.

[@Munkey3J]

Serious question, do they not salt and prep the roads down in htown??? MD here, we’re prepared for this.

[@IAMHERE486]

People on YT seem to hate California but I’m happy I don’t have to deal with any of this.I would hate to be slipping and sliding all day.

[@stevenm3141]

With ice comes salt , and with salt comes rust! There goes the value of your vehicles. The best you can do is rinse the underside of your car with clean water and put it in a nice warm garage to dry.😊

[@duallity2403]

Why did the right front tire keep locking up?

[@justdoingitjim7095]

Because he was riding his brake..."just in case."

[@larkt6693]

Rear wheel drive cars are definitely a NO NO 😮. In icy conditions

[@melissas4874]

And this is Houston where everyone wants to drive a luxury car - and most of those are RWD. Some are AWD which is definitely better.

[@baxter6504]

I realize drivers in the South are unfamiliar with these road and weather conditions, and that many Southern states lack snow plows and knowledge of how to treat snowy, icy roads, but why do commuters go out with rear-wheel driven vehicles in those conditions?!?!

[@bdizzle9484]

Maybe because they don’t own a four wheel drive and felt like they had to at least attempt to get to work. I doubt they were out in those conditions because they had nothing else to do. And the city usually shuts down bridges and overpasses when they ice over down here.

[@AguadillaCGN]

why the road isnt closed?

[@breezecreationsllc9381]

There is no surface under bridges, and overpass, so yes they will freeze.

[@Wizardof]

Wow.😆 I guess their truck dispatches told them they HAD to go. I like my right to travel, but I also like not busting up the truck and backing up traffic and I also like not waiting two years for a fix from a body shop.

[@idonhadenuff5979]

The all new 3 - wheel drive. 🤣

[@jamesbillington9280]

It's the drivers who are struggling, not the vehicles.

[@iii7878]

290 & Beltway 8. I was worried this would happen and took all backroads today. Tortoise and hare...

[@RedArrow73]

Thankfully DFW got ZERO ice! Roads got blown clean in mere hours.

[@lindasvensson593]

Interesting with concrete roads in this conditions? i didnt think concrete is used with winters like that because crack

[@sadiemaycastellano6977]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="195">3:15</a>.... little baby amazon truck just scooting by 😂

[@Nightrunnergunner]

😂😂😂 somebody help that poor bmw

[@HJ5RGG]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="37">0:37</a> even going slow you slips

[@DJLILM09]

BMW driver kept locking up they brakes

[@celeno31]

😮😮

[@rogerdavis2056]

The bmw was riding the brakes that's why the front kept locking up !

[@Woodchopper46]

Your vehicle's tires lose any traction that they had as soon as the brakes are applied and stop the tires from rotating. Tires have to be rotating in order for the tread & sipes to have any traction.

[@Vilanennlyy]

Don’t even tell us the location

[@aloysiusbelisarius9992]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="222">3:42</a> I know this is going to sound mean. But I still find it funny how it's bad enough trying to survive Houston traffic, even worse when trying to survive Houston traffic during a deep freeze...but then to add *Amazon trucks* into the mix?? 😅😅

[@TowMater603]

Sweet , new video. 1St comment too

[@beulahboi]

Dear BMW driver, Step off the brake pedal!

[@davidc3943]

Maybe this will get the Californians to go back to their state

[@paulkuhn1664]

What's a tie rod.

[@mariomosqueda1015]

One of your front end suspension components

[@billneal8995]

I wonder if it was black ice?

[@danielknepper6884]

Where is Al sharpton

[@mattywho8485]

It was gray ice

[@user-hp3uh6uu9w]

Are you guys short of plow drivers also? Here in North Easr Ohio they have done a crappy job of clearing our roads.

[@drumsrlife71418]

That's a Beemer driver for you. Big bucks no common sense.

[@heyitstemo2478]

Why they no throw down salt? Im confused

[@lonniesmoke4560]

Just want stay home

[@Ju_pi_ter]

Wow slow motion highway, lol

[@thebigguy8306]

🤔Note, 4x4 great in snow not so much on ice. OH that tingle up the spine when you start to slide. From Minnesota, my advice, aim for something cheap

[@GeneralKato]

That bmw should have turned it’s traction control off.

[@jsterling6805]

Hope all these people were going to and from work, otherwise they should have been at home.

[@DavidHBurkart]

That BMW driver was the worst of the lot, created his own road-planing with his brain-default to brake, then brake, then brake, then brake, then brake. THP trying to help him before moving on to a driver that would actually listen to instructions.

[@MeoMiyo]

Ice forms on bridges first

[@longnguyen-zu1qe]

Icy and freeze roads just put into gear L but not D will help you to go slowly 😊

[@RFCDAY]

Need some salt down on that road

[@zaxpage9003]

If only there was a company or service to treat the roads. Somon should invent big trucks to haul salt and cinders to spray on the roads when they are going to get slick. The people driving look dumb but at least they didn't fail at their job.

[@lonamacpherson3933]

Why do they not salt the streets? It works!

[@bastaki66]

Dude the red Tacoma driver sucks

[@Arturro671]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="60">1:00</a> I know it's an automatic, but why would you apply both brakes and gas? I don't drive automatic. Never did. But even I know it's not what you should do... Unless you're Cleetus McFarland or someone and you are competing in a burnout event - then I can understand the logic.

[@derekheuring2984]

Note to Houstonians: Turning on your 4 ways do not increase your vehicle's traction. We can see your vehicle clearly enough without them.

[@miked6523]

Shut up

[@Mr5150Sarge]

4wd does not mean you can drive fast.

[@GrayWolf-pv5uj]

That’s why you should own Subaru✨❄️

[@brandoncherry1651]

Uhhh miss the memo STAY HOME ???

[@susieq5270]

Downshift...

[@whiskers78753]

Whatever happened to global warming?

[@DisEnchantedPersons]

Do not drive with ice on the road, it doesn't work

[@rickythacker917]

Quit Touching your Brakes

[@kevinnosx9]

Why are the vehicles sliding like that?

[@Bert439]

Motorist are getting stuck on the ice that accumulates on bridges during frigid weather in Texas.

[@kathylarson8876]

Ice

[@gonzalogutierrez4748]

Because the bridge has ice smh...

[@jeanettesmith765]

Ice and maybe bad tires.

[@Jrryclmnjc]

Black ice

[@SSLCLIPS-TV]

BMW driver done well 🥶😇

[@kathylarson8876]

Terrifying

[@santosrojas9610]

The City should Have A Truck Design To Pour Salt Directly It Helps Traction Of Wheels

[@chilipochilipo6247]

Foot off the brakes noobs 😂😂🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️