Winter Weather Advisory in Effect

The Parsippany Police Department is warning motorists to drive with caution Monday: A National Weather Service winter weather advisory is in effect until 5 a.m. Tuesday for the area.

On Monday, the NWS is calling for light snow in the morning that will turn to freezing rain and rain for the afternoon hours. There is also the possibility of freezing drizzle in the evening. We can expect about an inch of snow accumulation along with some ice. 

A police statement cautions drivers to be careful, as untreated roads may become slippery, especially bridges and other elevated surfaces.

The New Jersey AAA Auto Club in Florham Park recommends a number to tips for those who need to be on the roads during the wintry mix:

• Avoid distractions. The focus needs to be on road conditions and others on the road.
• Do not use cruise control, and avoid tailgating. Normal following distances of three to four seconds for dry pavement should be increased to eight to 10 seconds when driving on icy, slippery surfaces. This extra time will allow for extra braking distance should a sudden stop become necessary.  If driving on a four-lane highway, stay in the clearest lane; avoid changing lanes and driving over built-up snow. Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery (wet, ice, snow, sand) surface; not using cruise control will allow you to respond instantly when you lift your foot off the accelerator.
• Know when to brake and when to steer. Some driving situations require abrupt action to avoid a crash or collision and in winter conditions, the decision to steer or brake can have very different outcomes. When traveling over 25 mph, AAA recommends steering over braking to avoid a collision in wintry conditions, as less distance is required to steer around an object than to brake to a stop.  In slick conditions, sudden braking can lead to loss of vehicle control. If you must use your brake, look further ahead and increase following and stopping distances.  Plan stopping distances as early as possible and always look 20-30 seconds ahead of your vehicle to ensure you have time and space to stop safely. Shaded spots, bridges, overpasses and intersections are areas where ice is likely to form first and will be the most slippery. It is important to adjust your braking habits as road conditions change.
• Stay in control through a skid. Should your vehicle begin to skid, don't panic. Continue to look and steer in the direction the car needs to go, and avoid slamming on the brakes. That will only further upset the vehicle’s balance and make it harder to control.