Black ice is dangerous because drivers can’t see it, their tires can’t grip it, and their brakes can’t work properly on it. When drivers can’t see it, they can’t prepare themselves for driving over it and the potential loss of control. When their tires can’t grip it, drivers can immediately lose control of their vehicles.
Is black ice dangerous on Utah roads in the winter?
One threat to driving safely that we see on Utah roads in the winter is black ice. Black ice is a type of ice often invisible to the eye that forms when roads are wet and temperatures drop suddenly .
What is black ice and what causes it?
The most basic definition of black ice is a thin coat of highly transparent ice. The reason it is transparent is because it blends in with road pavements since it is so thin, making it nearly impossible to see.
Another frequent inquiry is “Why is black ice called Black Ice?”.
It is called black ice because the ice layer is usually so thin that the area remains the color of the ground beneath it. If this happens on blacktop, the icy spot looks black, though the ice is not actually black.
Black ice is ice that forms without many air bubbles inside, commonly occurring on roads as moisture from car exhaust condenses. Because it’s transparent, it takes on the color of whatever surface it forms on–and if you can detect black ice at all, it generally looks like wet asphalt. It can also form when temperatures are above freezing.
What is ‘black ice’ in driving?
Black ice is the same as regular ice but it is more dangerous as it is harder to spot, especially when you are driving. It is formed on top of roads and pavements when there is light freezing or melting and re-freezing water on the surfaces.
This begs the question “Why is black ice transparent on the road?”
The reason it is transparent is because it blends in with road pavements since it is so thin, making it nearly impossible to see. It’s called black ice since it looks black, like the color of the road pavement it forms on. (MORE: When is the Coldest Time of the Year?) This is an example of black ice on a dark roadway.
Can you see Black Ice while driving?
Since black ice is highly transparent, it is unlikely you’ll be able to see it while driving down the road. Roadways become very slippery when black ice forms, leading to hazardous driving conditions and an increased risk of car accidents.
Should I Drive on Black Ice?
If the weather is bad and the conditions are likely to result in black ice, try to stay home and avoid driving at all. If you have ABS brakes, know how they feel when they engage so you don’t panic and that you understand what denotes slippery conditions–even if your car is still in control.
What to do if you hit black ice while driving?
What to do if you Hit Black Ice
REMAIN CALM. This is the most important thing. If you start freaking out you are going to make mistakes. DO NOT HIT THE BRAKES.
DON’T JERK THE STEERING WHEEL. You need to keep the steering wheel as straight as possible. This will keep your car from going into a skid. GET OFF THE ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Don’t pull off to the side of the road.
What should I do if I hit Black Ice?
If you happen to hit black ice, do not overreact. Doing as little as possible is the safest course of action. Do not hit your brakes, and try to keep your steering wheel straight. If anything, you may try to slightly steer into the slide rather than overcorrecting. Remove your foot from the gas and shift to a lower gear if possible.
One more query we ran across in our research was “What should I do if I’m driving on Ice?”.
If you discover that you’re driving on ice, there is one thing you must do before anything else – remain totally calm Do NOT hit the brakes and don’t make any sudden movements with the steering wheel, even if you feel yourself sliding. The best thing to do is to slowly take your foot off the accelerator.