Braving the winter weather is an unavoidable part of life in New York State. As temperatures drop and the weather changes, many residents readjust their daily schedules to fit in more time for things like snow removal and holiday chores. One essential habit that should be changed during the winter is driver safety.
While driving in the spring, summer and fall
can be simple and carefree, extra attention, time and precautions
must be taken during the winter months. According to the United
States Department of Transportation, icy roads cause over 150,000 car crashes
annually. A significant portion of these crashes are caused by black ice. Black
ice is a thin layer of transparent ice that is difficult to see and can lead to
hazardous driving conditions. Use the following tips to prevent, identify and
avoid black ice related car accidents:
Know the conditions
in which black ice forms
Black ice is most often formed after a light rain
falls on a road surface when the temperature dips just below 32 °F. Take extra
caution while driving on bridges and overpasses because temperatures drop
quickly at higher altitudes. Tunnels and tree-lined roads are also at a higher
risk for black ice formation due to the absence of direct sunlight.
Learn how to identify
black ice
Black ice often appears to be just a puddle or wet spot on
the road and is therefore more difficult to identify than other hazards.
However, a layer of black ice is often shinier than other parts of the road. If
most of the road is dull and black, but there is a more reflective patch ahead
of you, it is possible that it may be black ice.
Keep a safe distance
from the car in front of you
Braking while driving on ice takes nine times longer than
braking on bare pavement. Because of this, it is important to keep a safe
distance between yourself and the car in front of you. It is recommended that
drivers maintain a distance of five seconds or more between their cars. This is
especially important while driving in winter
weather, because it gives
drivers extra time to react in case they encounter any dangerous obstacles on
the road.
Be extra careful
while driving in the early morning
Overnight, temperatures drop and cause road surfaces to
become colder. When day breaks, the air heats up faster than the pavement. If
the air is above freezing (32 °F) and the ground is below freezing, a light
rain may turn to black ice as soon as it makes contact with the road. Driving
slowly and with more caution during early morning hours decreases a driver’s
likelihood of encountering black ice related problems.
If you hit black ice,
keep your steering wheel straight
No matter what type of hazard is encountered while driving, swerving and
overcorrecting can turn a dangerous situation into an even more serious
accident. Quickly turning the steering wheel often causes drivers to veer off
the road or hit oncoming traffic. This is especially true for drivers who are
trying to avoid black ice. The best way to avoid skidding on black ice is to
hold the steering wheel steady without hitting the brakes. This will increase a
driver’s chances of staying in their lane.
Driving in New York State during the winter season can be
challenging. Knowing how to spot and avoid black ice on the road can keep you
safe and prevent a possible accident.
