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Ever since the advent of the paved road, the phenomena of black ice has been plaguing countless winter drivers with its invisible treachery for decades. Unlike its visible cousin, black ice is nearly impossible to spot on the road, no matter the time of day. Most of the time plow trucks alleviate the problem with vast quantities of road salt and other materials. However, these materials can become the cause of the problem and can potentially lead to a severe accident. To stay safe this winter, learn what black ice is and what precautions to take when black ice is prevalent on the roadways.
Black Ice Defined
Those of us living in parts of Canada and the United States where winter driving is common place have undoubtedly encountered black ice at some point. Many of us have heard of or have been warned of black ice, but what is it exactly? Just like 'normal ice', black ice is frozen water. This frozen water manifests itself as an ice sheet from sleet, rain or melted snow (depending on the conditions). This newly formed ice sheet can be quite conspicuous in the sense that the road may look dry and free of ice, but really, it may be one giant sheet of ice. The formation of black ice typically occurs during a rapid temperature change after a winter rain shower, snow shower or a mixture of the two.
As mentioned above, plow trucks use a variety of substances, mainly salt, to make roads safe to drive on after a winter storm. This is usually a good thing because the original snow and ice are reduced to water, which is a bit easier to drive on. However, in cases of a sizeable temperature differential before the remnants of the snow or ice on the road evaporates, black ice forms.
For example, let’s say it snowed early in the day and forced the plow trucks out to clear the roadways with salt. Ideally, the salt has melted the snow and the roadways are simply wet. However, if the temperature dramatically lowered throughout the night, black ice sheets have the potential to form on the roadways.
Be On The Lookout
In cases of a drastic temperature shift after a winter storm, motorists should be on the lookout for the tell tale signs of black ice. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to spot black ice on the roadway unless you actually get out of your car to inspect the pavement, which I do not recommend! Instead, take a look at your windshield wipers and side view mirrors before you get into your vehicle. Chances are that if there is ice on your windshield wipers or side view mirrors, there very well may be black ice on the roadways.
A few other places that you can look for signs of black ice are on trees, road signs and fences while you are driving. For example, if you see icicles hanging from trees on your route to work, be on the lookout for black ice. Another tell tale sign of black ice can be found in shaded areas, as ice will form in these areas before it starts to form on the roadways. Shaded areas where you can easily spot ice formation include under large trees, under areas of your house or apartment building or even around larger buildings.
Driving Tips
Now that you know about black ice and its formation, you should now be wary about your driving in a winter storm and after a storm has occurred. If the chances of black ice formation are high, driving with extra caution is vital to your own well being as well as that of other motorists on the roadway. If you suspect black ice on the roadways, you may want to try to get a better feel for the road by slightly wiggling your auto or tapping the brakes. Keep in mind not to overdo it, because if there is black ice on the roadway, you may lose control. You should also take extra caution when you are driving on bridges or overpasses, as black ice formation occurs in these particular places before it makes its way to the rest of the roadway. Finally, if you own a vehicle that is capable of four wheel drive or is simply front wheel drive, you are just as at risk for losing control of your vehicle on black ice (or normal ice) as a rear wheel drive vehicle.
Long story short, pay attention to your surroundings and the roadways rather carefully if the conditions are conducive to black ice formation.
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