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How to Drive on Black Ice
Edited by VermontGal, Flickety, Sondra C, Zack and 19 others
Winter driving isn't only about dealing with snow; ice on the road is a real
threat. Black ice, in particular, is dangerous because it's invisible (the term
"black ice" being somewhat of a misnomer, as the ice is transparent). However,
you can protect yourself by understanding and knowing how to deal with this
winter issue.
Understand that black ice is like regular ice. It is a glaze that forms on surfaces (especially roads, sidewalks, and driveways) because of a light freezing rain or because of melting and re-freezing of snow, water, or ice on surfaces. It's called "black ice" because it tends to look like the rest of the pavement on the road, although in reality, it's
actually clear. Black ice forms without creating bubbles, which allows it to blend in with any surface it forms over.[1]^ Black ice is dangerous precisely because it's hard to detect in advance.
- Know where to expect black ice. Black ice usually forms just about the freezing point. Sometimes in frigid weather conditions on highways, black ice will form due to the heat of tires on the road coupled with the freezing temperature. Keep an eye on the weather and highway reports.
- Black ice forms most commonly at night or in the early morning when the temperatures are at their lowest, or when the sun isn't around to warm the roads.[2]
- Black ice tends to form on parts of the road without much sunshine, such as along a tree-lined route or a tunnel. It will also form more frequently on roads that are less traveled on.
Know how to see black ice - sometimes. While black ice is transparent, it can sometimes be seen in the right lighting conditions - if you are looking for it. Black ice almost always forms in very smooth, very glossy sheets. This glossy surface is your indication of potential black ice. If the majority of the road you're driving on appears a dull black color, but the patch just ahead of you appears shiny, you may be about to drive onto black ice - don't panic, follow the instructions below.
- This technique for helping to detect black ice won't work at night, but dawn, daylight and dusk all offer enough light to see.
- If you are unfamiliar with this glossy appearance, think of a nice new car's black spray paint compared to an older, un-kept car's black paint job.
- You won't always be able to see black ice, but looking for it can't hurt. It may also help you to stay focused in less than ideal driving conditions. Just be sure to keep your eyes on the rest of your environment as well.
Practice driving on slippery surfaces. If possible, (and with a seasoned winter driver) practice driving on ice in a safe surrounding. Find a nice, large, empty parking lot with ice on it. Drive on ice. Practice braking on ice. Understand how your car feels and handles in these conditions. Know what ABS braking feels like if you have it. Practicing this under controlled conditions can actually be a lot of fun!
Slow down by de-accelerating. Lift your feet off the accelerator completely and keep your steering wheel fixed in the position it's in.[6]^ Slowing down will give you more control and prevent needless damage.
- Do not touch the brakes. Doing so will likely cause you to skid. The idea is to slide over the ice in the direction the steering wheel is facing; usually black ice patches aren't longer than 20 feet (6 metres).
If you can, shift into a low gear. Low gears will give you more control.
If you skid or lose traction, stay calm. Hopefully, you are now going slow and this will make it easier. Black ice is often (although not always) patchy, so hopefully your tires will soon find traction. Use the minimum amount of braking possible, although some braking will be necessary if skidding a lot, as follows:
- If you have anti-lock braking system (ABS), just put your foot on the brake, apply firm pressure and the car will pump the brakes for you as you skid.[7]
- If you don't have ABS, pump the brakes gently as you skid.[8]
- Always steer the car in the direction you want the car to go.
If you end up going off the road, try to steer into things that will cause the minimum amount of damage. Ideally, steer into an empty field, a yard, or a fluffy snowbank. Of course, you may not have much choice in the matter, but you can at least try.
Get off the road as soon as possible. It's better to wait a while at a rest stop, diner, or even on the side of the road until the road crews can salt and/or sand the roads than to deal with an accident. This will also provide you with a chance to recover your senses and feel less panicked. Have a hot drink and relax a while.
- If there is a pile up: Very rarely ice and/or black ice can make extremely hazardous conditions that can cause multi-car accidents on a highway. You will have to evaluate quickly whether staying in your car (where you have some safety protection) or getting out (where you can flee further collisions but will have to walk on icy surfaces, in freezing temperatures, with other cars spinning out of
control around you) is safer. Consider your location, the speed of travel, geographic location, your warmth, and your physical abilities.
Prevent or minimize future encounters with black ice. There are several things that you can do to reduce the chances of being surprised by black ice. While knowing how to drive on it remains a number one priority, here are some other things to do:
- Travel slowly. Don't try to speed during icy weather as this will take away any control you might have had on the black ice.
- Don't tailgate.
- Keep your windshield clear of ice, snow, dirt, and anything else that can prevent you from seeing out of it properly. To get snow and ice off the windshield of your car, you might be tempted to turn on your windshield wipers. It might seem like the wipers and the washer fluid will work, but they don't. In fact, if you use your
Warnings
- 4x4 vehicles, SUVs, vans, trucks and large Pickups have a high center of
gravity and are inherently unstable; so that an ice slide followed by
suddenly gripping the road can easily cause the vehicle to rollover. You
do not want this to happen, slow down.
- Never use cruise control in snowy or icy conditions. You need to be in
full control at all times.
- If you are confused about front versus the rear in skidding: "If you see the
front end of your car turning left or right, make a very gentle turn of the
steering wheel in the 'opposite' direction." That is the same as: "If you feel
the back end of your car sliding left or right, make a very gentle turn of
the steering wheel in the 'same' direction (that the rear is skidding)."
- Remember that zero percent traction is still zero percent traction. Even if
you have all-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive, or an SUV, once you lose
traction the car itself won't help you. Drive safely and cautiously no
matter what your vehicle is.
Sources and Citations
1. โ Science Buzz, Black Ice!, http://www.sciencebuzz.org/blog/black-ice-
2. โ Science Buzz, Black Ice!, http://www.sciencebuzz.org/blog/black-ice-
3. โ Brian McDonald, How to drive on black ice,
http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081223/NEW
S0107/
4. โ Science Buzz, Black Ice!, http://www.sciencebuzz.org/blog/black-ice-
5. โ Brian McDonald, How to drive on black ice,
http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081223/NEW
S0107/
6. โ Brian McDonald, How to drive on black ice,
http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081223/NEW
S0107/
7. โ Videojug, Driving a car in the snow,
http://www.videojug.com/interview/driving-a-car-in-snow
8. โ Videojug, Driving a car in the snow,
http://www.videojug.com/interview/driving-a-car-in-snow
9. โ Videojug, Driving a car in the snow,
http://www.videojug.com/interview/driving-a-car-in-snow
