ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is advising residents to take precautions when driving on the road due to black ice.
Black ice forms when rain or snowmelt contacts freezing temperatures and often becomes more widespread at night. It is invisible to see and often impacts drivers’ morning commutes.
What is the best way to drive on black ice?
Black ice is just like regular ice as it forms on surfaces like roads, sidewalks, and driveways because of light freezing rain or melting and refreezing of water, ice, or snow. Black ice looks like the rest of the pavement, blending into the rest of the surface, making it harder to detect.
The US Forest Service says knowing where to expect black ice will help drivers become more cautious. For example, colder conditions on highways will cause black ice to form due to the heat of the tires along with the freezing temperatures.
The formation of black ice is also common on parts of the road that lack sunshine or roads that are not frequently traveled. Bridges and overpasses are more susceptible as colder air cools the top and underneath of the bridge.
Expecting black ice and the timing is also important especially when it forms in the early morning. The roads are usually warmer during the day making the chances of black ice on the road slimmer. However, it does not mean it’s not there.
If you see signs of cars swerving for no reason, black ice may be the cause. Signs of black ice usually form in smooth, glossy sheets.
Drivers should prepare for driving on slippery surfaces and practice in empty parking lots with ice.
You should never hit the brakes when encountering ice and always keep the steering straight. If you need to slow down, lift your foot off the gas and keep control of the wheel.
If you feel the back of your car sliding to the left or right, gently turn your steering wheel in the same direction. If you struggle against the ice and turn the wheel in the opposite direction you have a higher chance of spinning or skidding out.
Drivers are advised to use caution on the roads.
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