Birmingham Metro snow emergency: Driving advice from AAA

Red Mountain Expressway in Birmingham on January, 10, 2025. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

While venturing out this Friday morning to take some photos of the Alabama winter wonderland that fell on the state, I saw a truck trying to drive up Niazuma in the Highland Park neighborhood near Caldwell Park.  Half way up, he stopped and was sliding sideways… down the hill.

It was a reminder, Alabamians are not too adept at driving in the snow and ice.

Presently, 37 North Central counties are under a state of emergency issued by Governor Kay Ivey because of the January 10 snow storm.

Many roads are closed throughout the state. The “go-to” website on road closures and updates is ALDOT’s — https://algotraffic.com. 

AAA snow driving tips

In response to the current weather and traffic conditions, we reached out to AAA Alabama for some driving tips. 

“I think the most important thing to remember today is to stay off of the roads.  Some of the snow and ice may melt throughout the day, but it could re-freeze this evening and be even worse tonight and tomorrow morning.”

Clay Ingram, AAA spokesperson

Ingram followed up by giving 7 extra snow driving tips: 

• Slow down: Adjust your speed to account for lower traction on snow or ice.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly.
• Increase your following distance to five to six seconds.
• Know your brakes.
• Avoid stopping if possible.
• Don’t power up hills.
• Keep moving when going up a hill. 

Need more details? AAA has published a webpage dedicated to the subject — Winter Driving Tips – AAA Exchange

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Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.