The buzz word of the week in Southwest and Southside Virginia is “black ice”. Black Ice is the thin layer on ice that forms over roadways when freezing rain is present or after snow has melted and refrozen on the roadway. This commonly occurs at night after recent snowfall has had a chance to melt during the day. After the sun sets and temperatures begin to fall, the potential for deadly black ice to form begins to rise.
The name “black ice” is not accurate, while the ice appears black, it is actually completely clear without cloudiness or bubbles. This makes it very difficult to see and unfortunately you may feel its affects long before you ever know its there.
It is especially dangerous because it is very difficult to see. Drivers that are not aware of the potential for ice on the roadways may not change their driving behavior to accomodate the slick conditions. Black ice is also dangerous because it tends to form on bridges and overpasses first. This is because cold air can circulate above and below the roadway causing the surface temperature to drop. If the surface temperature falls below freezing and there is water on the roadway, drivers should adjust their driving behavior to accomodate for the possibilty of dangerous conditions.
What Should I Do When Black Ice Forms?
If there is a potential for black ice you should stay off of the roads. If this is not possible, adjust your driving behavior to suit road conditions.
- Drive slowly and cautiously.
- Remove distractions. Do not use a cell phone, even hands free when driving in hazardous conditions.
- Turn off the radio and listen to your vehicle. You may hear crunchy, frozen slush. This is a good indicator that black ice has also formed.
- If you hit a patch of road with black ice, remain calm. Do as little as possible to change the trajectory of the vehicle, do not slam on the brakes, jerk the steering wheel or gas it. Try to allow your car to glide over the patch and regain traction on dry pavement.
- Know how to detect black ice. The first indicator of black ice is usually when a driver sees the car in front of them swerve for no apparent reason. If you see this, you may have only seconds to react before you hit the ice as well. The key is to remain calm and remember to allow for a greater following distance when roads have hazardous conditions.
- Allow your car to slow down by taking your foot off the gas if you think you’re about to encounter black ice. Do not hit the brakes. If you are already on the ice, this may cause you to loose control of your vehicle. You can also downshift into a lower gear to further control your speed.
- Never use your cruise control when traveling on potentionally dangerous roadways. You will have less control over the operation of your vehicle at a time when it matters most.
Unfortunately we can’t always avoid driving in winter conditions. If you have to go out, please make sure that you are prepared for the worst.
Are you looking for a Personal Injury Lawyer in Roanoke? If you or someone you love has been injured or killed due to someone else’s negligence, call The Thomson Law Firm today for a FREE consultation. (540) 777-4900.
