Learn how to identify black ice and follow essential safety tips to keep control of your vehicle during hazardous winter driving conditions.
Winter driving conditions can be tricky for even the most experienced drivers. While a snow-covered road is an obvious driving hazard, a road that just looks wet can also be deceivingly slippery.
Black ice is a dangerous wintertime hazard because the ice may not always be visible. Indeed, melted snow or ice that refreezes can look deceptively like a dry road. Temperatures do not even have to be below freezing for black ice to develop; it can occur when temperatures are near the freezing mark or a few degrees above it.
While a shiny surface often indicates a wet or icy road, a road covered with black ice looks a little different. Keep an eye out for pavement that is slightly darker and a little duller than the rest of the surface, as this may indicate black ice. Because it is so tricky to detect, a driver may not realize the surface is icy until the car begins to slide. Here are some tips on how to drive on black ice:
- As soon as your car begins to slide on black ice, take your foot off the gas pedal. The last thing you want to do is give your car more gas. It is very important to slow down when driving on black ice or in any winter road conditions.
- Do not slam on the brakes. While it may be a natural instinct, doing this will only cause your car to lose control and slide further. Tap the brake pedal lightly instead of pushing down hard.
- Look for trouble spots ahead. If you anticipate black ice ahead—such as seeing cars sliding in front of you—downshift to a lower gear before you reach it. A lower gear forces you to drive more slowly and provides better control.
- If your car begins to skid on the ice, turn the wheel in the direction of the skid. This helps steer your car back onto the correct path.
- Leave plenty of space between your car and others on the road. Stay well behind the vehicle in front of you (at least a couple of hundred feet)—this is definitely not the time to tailgate. Even if you feel confident driving on black ice, the driver ahead of you may not be. Be prepared in case other cars start to slide.
- Do not think you are invincible just because you drive a truck or a large SUV. While four-wheel drive vehicles are great in heavy snow, they offer no advantage over regular cars on black ice. Take necessary safety precautions regardless of what you drive.
- Other precautions:
- Drive with your low-beam headlights on, even during the day. This makes you more visible to other motorists.
- Ensure your tire tread is in good condition. Worn tires make driving on black ice much more difficult. Ensure there is plenty of traction between your tires and the road surface.
- Black ice is most commonly found near bodies of water (such as lakes and rivers), in tunnels, and in shady or rural areas. Bridges and overpasses are also common spots, as the road surface freezes there more quickly. Even if you have been cruising down the highway with no problem, an overpass or bridge can be unexpectedly icy.
- Always wear your seatbelt. Winter driving is unpredictable, so prepare for the unexpected and stay safe!
Drive on black ice
Learn how to identify black ice and follow essential safety tips to keep control of your vehicle during hazardous winter driving conditions.
Winter driving conditions can be tricky for even the most experienced drivers. While a snow-covered road is an obvious driving hazard, a road that just looks wet can also be deceivingly slippery.
Black ice is a dangerous wintertime hazard because the ice may not always be visible. Indeed, melted snow or ice that refreezes can look deceptively like a dry road. Temperatures do not even have to be below freezing for black ice to develop; it can occur when temperatures are near the freezing mark or a few degrees above it.
While a shiny surface often indicates a wet or icy road, a road covered with black ice looks a little different. Keep an eye out for pavement that is slightly darker and a little duller than the rest of the surface, as this may indicate black ice. Because it is so tricky to detect, a driver may not realize the surface is icy until the car begins to slide. Here are some tips on how to drive on black ice:
- As soon as your car begins to slide on black ice, take your foot off the gas pedal. The last thing you want to do is give your car more gas. It is very important to slow down when driving on black ice or in any winter road conditions.
- Do not slam on the brakes. While it may be a natural instinct, doing this will only cause your car to lose control and slide further. Tap the brake pedal lightly instead of pushing down hard.
- Look for trouble spots ahead. If you anticipate black ice ahead—such as seeing cars sliding in front of you—downshift to a lower gear before you reach it. A lower gear forces you to drive more slowly and provides better control.
- If your car begins to skid on the ice, turn the wheel in the direction of the skid. This helps steer your car back onto the correct path.
- Leave plenty of space between your car and others on the road. Stay well behind the vehicle in front of you (at least a couple of hundred feet)—this is definitely not the time to tailgate. Even if you feel confident driving on black ice, the driver ahead of you may not be. Be prepared in case other cars start to slide.
- Do not think you are invincible just because you drive a truck or a large SUV. While four-wheel drive vehicles are great in heavy snow, they offer no advantage over regular cars on black ice. Take necessary safety precautions regardless of what you drive.
- Other precautions:
- Drive with your low-beam headlights on, even during the day. This makes you more visible to other motorists.
- Ensure your tire tread is in good condition. Worn tires make driving on black ice much more difficult. Ensure there is plenty of traction between your tires and the road surface.
- Black ice is most commonly found near bodies of water (such as lakes and rivers), in tunnels, and in shady or rural areas. Bridges and overpasses are also common spots, as the road surface freezes there more quickly. Even if you have been cruising down the highway with no problem, an overpass or bridge can be unexpectedly icy.
- Always wear your seatbelt. Winter driving is unpredictable, so prepare for the unexpected and stay safe!
Drive on black ice
By Howtodotips
Learn how to identify black ice and follow essential safety tips to keep control of your vehicle during hazardous winter driving conditions.