Black ice is a slang term for winter ice coating the road that is that is difficult or oftentimes impossible to while driving. It’s a slick glaze that comes from a light freeze or melting and re-freezing snow, water, or ice. In fact, black ice is not “black” at all--instead, it’s quite clear, which makes it all the more dangerous because it’s hard to detect before driving over it.
Is there anything you can do to protect yourself from black ice? You bet!
Know when and where black ice will form. Black ice thrives at night and in the morning, when it’s coldest. Also, keep an eye out on bridges and overpasses as the cold air will keep that moisture frozen even in warmer temperatures. And for highways, black ice tends to stick around shadowy roads and more isolated highways since they are not being warmed by car wheels.
Travel slowly. Your speed and your control go hand-in-hand. During icy and snowy weather, make yourself move slowly in order to prevent a hazardous situation.
Inspect the tread on your tires. Worn tread is a big deal and makes your driving risky--not just for black ice.
If you hit black ice, don’t overreact. Similar to hydroplaning, you want to do as little as possible when your car goes over a patch of black ice. Don’t hit your brakes as it locks your wheels up, and if your vehicle’s back end begins sliding left or right, lightly move the steering wheel in the same direction to balance it out.
Slow down. Don’t accelerate through the ice--instead, take your foot off the gas to give yourself more control.
Our number one tip is to avoid driving during icy conditions, but if you follow these easy steps and you’ll be a pro at staying safe on the road during our inevitable nasty winter weather.
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