Wintry mix hits West Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A wintry mix of snow and freezing rain hit West Michigan Sunday afternoon, resulting in slick and slushy roads.

Temperatures slowly rose from south to north Monday, gradually helping to melt ice on the roads. That being said, secondary, dirt and side roads remained icy. Many parking lots and sidewalks were also a sheet of ice.

The Kent County Road Commission had 30 plow trucks running a 12-hour shift Sunday night, said director of maintenance Jerry Byrne.

The falling snow before the rain may have helped in keeping roads clear, Byrne said, because it may have soaked up some of the freezing rain. Additionally, warmer temperatures than those during last week's arctic blast meant that regular road salt worked.

Randy Rand of Jungle Survival Drivers Training often takes teenagers, who are learning to drive, on a snow course to teach them the basics of traction, including how to stop a vehicle without anti-lock brakes.

"You have to understand that 3,000 pounds doesn't stop very easily on a slippery surface," said Rand.

Rand explained it's even more difficult to stop on ice. At least on the training course, the snow gives him some friction.

To keep it simple, Rand provided three easy tips -- "You have good tires on your car, properly inflated; drive slower and increase your following distance."

Rand recommends an eight- to 12-second following distance.

== Watch the video above more more tips from Rand regarding driving in snow and ice ==

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Stay with Storm Team 8 for the latest weather conditions.

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