Driving in winter is not just about dealing with snow, it is the ice on the road that is the real danger. Black ice, in particular, is dangerous because it is invisible. However, you can increase your confidence by learning about and understanding how to deal with this typical winter problem.
Steps
Step 1. Understand that black ice is like normal ice
It is a thin layer of ice that forms on surfaces (especially roads, sidewalks and driveways) due to a light icy drizzle, or due to the melting and subsequent resolidification of snow, water or ice. It is called "black ice" because it tends to resemble the rest of the asphalt even though it is actually quite transparent. Black ice forms without creating bubbles, which allows it to integrate perfectly on any surface. Black ice is dangerous precisely because it is difficult to notice before it is too late.
Step 2. Know where you might find it
Black ice usually forms exactly at the freezing point, zero degrees. Sometimes, in the cold of a freeway, black ice forms due to the heat of the wheels of the cars combined with the cold of the outside temperature. Pay attention to the weather reports and information on motorway traffic.
- Black ice usually forms at night or early in the morning, when temperatures are low, or when there is no sun to warm the streets.
- Black ice tends to form on parts of the road that are not directly exposed to the sun, such as those surrounded by trees or tunnels. It will also form more frequently on less trafficked roads.
- Black ice forms quickly on bridges, underpasses and overpasses. This is because the cold air is able to cool both the top of the bridge or overpass and the one below, making freezing faster.
Step 3. Know when to expect black ice
Black ice tends to form early in the morning and in the evening. During the day, the road is usually warmer and therefore less prone to black ice. But remember, "less inclined" does not mean that this is impossible. Always be alert for the possible presence of black ice on the road.
Recognize the signs of black ice. If you are driving and suddenly the car skids for no apparent reason, black ice is probably the cause
Step 4. Know how to see black ice
When black ice is transparent, it can sometimes be seen in the right light if you are looking for it. Black ice almost always forms very shiny and smooth ice sheets. The brightness of the road is in fact a big indicator of the presence of black ice. If most of the roads you are driving on look normal but the stretch immediately in front of you looks rather polished, you are likely going to pass over a stretch of black ice, but don't panic! Follow the instructions below!
- This technique for recognizing black ice won't work at night, but sunrise, sunset, and daylight will give you enough light to see it.
- If you want an example of the sheen to look for, think of the black bodywork of a shiny new car compared to that of a poorly maintained old car.
- You won't always be able to see black ice, but trying it won't hurt you. It also helps you stay focused in less than optimal driving conditions. Just remember to look at the rest of the street as well.
Step 5. Practice driving on slippery surfaces
If possible (and perhaps with the help of an experienced driver) practice driving on ice in a safe environment. Find a nice large parking lot, empty and with some ice. Drive on ice, practice braking on ice. Try to understand how your car reacts in these conditions. Experience what it means to brake with ABS in action if you've never tried it. Besides, practicing in these conditions is certainly fun!
Step 6. Know how to deal with a real encounter with black ice
If you step on the black ice, you must first stay calm and not overreact. The general rule is to intervene as little as possible and make sure that the car overtakes the icy stretch. Don't touch the brakes and keep the steering wheel straight. If you feel the back of your car slip to the right or left, turn the steering wheel slightly in the same direction. If you try to counter the skid by turning the steering wheel in the opposite direction, you risk spinning (see below to understand how to react if this happens).
Step 7. Slow down without touching the brakes
Take your foot off the accelerator completely and keep the steering wheel fixed in the position it is in. Slowing down will increase your control over the car and prevent you from doing unnecessary damage.
NOT touch the brakes. Doing so will make you slip. The idea is to overtake the black ice while maintaining the current direction with the steering wheel firmly stationary; black ice sheets are usually no longer than 6 meters.
Step 8. If you can, shift to a lower gear
Low gears will give you more control over the car.
Step 9. Move to areas with more traction
Black ice is virtually invisible, but you may be able to reach areas with more traction. These can be areas covered with snow, stretches with sand, etc.
Step 10. If you swerve or lose traction, stay calm
Fortunately this will have slowed you down and this will make things easier. Thick black ice (although not always) is spread out at intervals, so with a little luck your tires will soon find contact with the asphalt again. Brake as little as possible, although touching the brakes may be necessary in case you are skidding a lot. If so, do it in the following ways:
- If your car is equipped with an ABS anti-lock system, press the brake pedal firmly and the car will properly apply the brakes for you during the skid.
- If you don't have ABS, apply the brakes as gently as possible while skidding.
- Always steer in the direction you want the car to go.
Step 11. If you are about to run off the road, try swerving against objects that will cause you the least amount of damage
The ideal would be to steer towards an empty field, a house yard or a snow bank. Sure, you won't have much of a choice at the moment, but trying it won't hurt.
Step 12. After meeting the black ice, stay calm
You will probably be a little shaken, but getting into a panic attack won't help you in any way. If you have to keep driving, do it by going very, very slowly. Warn other motorists that you are going slow by continuously flashing your headlights.
Step 13. Get off the road as soon as possible
It is better to wait in a restaurant, gas station or even on the roadside for the snow blowers to kick in rather than get involved in an accident. A break will also allow you to recover and calm down. Have a hot drink and relax for a while.
If there is a queue: it is difficult for ice or black ice to cause conditions that could cause a big crash between several cars on a highway. You will have to quickly decide whether to stay in the car (where you would be protected anyway) or go outside (where you may witness further collisions or you may have to walk on icy surfaces, in freezing temperatures, while runaway cars will whiz around you). Always consider where you are, your travel speed, geographic location, your body temperature and your physical condition
Step 14. Prevent or reduce any encounters with black ice
There are many ways to reduce your chances of being surprised by black ice on the street. Knowing how to deal with it definitely comes first, but here are other things to do:
- Travel slowly. Don't run if the weather is freezing, you will lose any chance to control the car on the black ice.
- Do not stay glued to the vehicle in front of you.
- Keep your windshield clear of ice, snow, dirt and anything else that might obstruct your view. It may be tempting to use windshield wipers to remove ice and snow. It may even seem like using the wipers is working, but that's not the case. Using them to remove ice from the windshield could damage them. Use a special squeegee to remove the ice from the windshield before setting off.
- Keep the headlights on as early as the afternoon to help you spot the black ice thanks to any reflections.
- Check the condition of your tires. Excessive wear could already cause accidents under normal conditions, and will certainly limit the car's traction on black ice. It also evaluates the installation of special winter tires.
- An important thing to remember is to NEVER drive in freezing weather with cruise control active.
Advice
- If you have ABS, learn to recognize the behavior of the brakes upon its activation so that you don't panic if it happens.
- Walking or cycling on black ice can still be dangerous, and it could cause you to fall. Cyclists should pay even more attention than motorists, because a slip could cause them to fall on the roadway, at the mercy of cars and trucks.
- Fit winter tires before temperatures are so low as to cause black ice. This is essential if you are about to embark on a road trip that you are unfamiliar with in places where you are unfamiliar with the weather.
- Do not talk on your mobile phone while driving and do not play with the car radio buttons! Always pay close attention to the road or you could risk an accident!
- A good general advice for driving on ice is to avoid sudden movements. Quickly steering, accelerating, or braking can cause the car to lose traction severely. One way to adapt your driving style to driving on ice is to imagine that you have an egg under the gas and brake pedal. Try not to break the imaginary egg. You will find yourself driving much more cautiously without almost realizing it.
- If the weather calls for bad weather and all conditions are in place for black ice to form, stay home and avoid driving.
Warnings
- 4x4s, SUVs, vans, trucks and large pickups have a high center of gravity, and are therefore inherently unstable; to the point that a skid caused by ice and the subsequent grip on the road can cause the vehicle to overturn. If you don't want that to happen, slow down.
- Do not use cruise control on snow or ice. You will always have to be in full control of the vehicle.
- If you can't figure out how to handle the car if the front of the car or the rear is skidding: if you see the front of your car skidding to the right or left, move the steering wheel in the opposite direction to that of the skid. Symmetrically, if the rear of the car skids, move the steering wheel in the same direction as the skid.
- Remember that having no traction means no traction regardless of the vehicle. Even if you have a 4x4 or SUV, once you lose traction, the car won't help you. Drive carefully regardless of the vehicle you own.
