The state Department of Transportation is encouraging motorists to practice safe winter driving as the potential for snow continues.

A news release from PennDOT said traction is greatly reduced when driving on snow or ice, which seriously affects steering and braking ability.

Also, a thin layer of water on top of ice is more slippery than ice alone.

PennDOT also warns of “black ice,” or a thin layer of ice on clear roads that occurs in dropping temperatures.

Slowing down on packed snow and slowing to a crawl on ice, leaving 10 times the space between vehicles, applying brakes gently and easing off in a skid, not using cruise control and coasting slowly toward intersections are good ways to avoid losing control of a vehicle on bad roads, the release states.

More tips on safe winter travel are available at penndot.gov/District10.