Maybe They Call It Black Ice Because The Color Black Can Symbolize Something Ominous Or Dire.
Black ice is not black. It is perfectly clear, no bubbles, no cracks and it appears to be the color of the roadway material. When moisture freezes quickly, that is what can happen and it creates an invisible sheet of ice.
It is among the most dangerous hazards drivers contend with during winter months. You must be aware of it and know what to do if you encounter black ice on the road. I will never forget my first and only encounter! The highway lanes were completely cleared of snow after an overnight winter storm. I was driving about 60 mph in the fast lane and for seemingly no reason at all, my car spun three times.
I was lucky I ended up facing forward after the last spin, but the engine had stalled. This is normal, vehicles have a fuel shut off that is activated in situations like this. As I restarted the engine, I looked in my rearview mirror and there was a tractor trailer coming on quickly. I was able to get moving quickly and move a couple lanes over to avoid a nasty, probably deadly collision.
What To Do If You Hit Black Ice
Most importantly, only do one thing at a time. Take your foot off the gas pedal and do not slam on the brakes. At this point you may be able to just roll over the patch if you are going straight. If you feel you are losing control, only press the brake lightly, let off, brake lightly, let off, until you gain control. And if you do begin skidding, steer the car into the direction of the skid which means if the back end of the vehicle is sliding to the right, turn your steering wheel to the right. This will get you straightened out.
Prevention Is Best
Drive slower and be vigilant. Leave plenty of distance between your car and others, at least twice as much as you would on a dry road. Don’t be over confident if you have All Wheel or Four Wheel Drive. This will not help you on ice. If you get an opportunity, go to an empty parking lot that has snow or ice, and get a feel for how your car reacts, and practice the above mentioned maneuvers.
And finally, get a thorough vehicle checkup, particularly if your car is not running at peak performance. I tell you I am grateful that my car started right up after my black ice incident. Your brakes, tires, steering and suspension should all be evaluated and repaired if anything is broken or worn. Driving in any conditions is one of the most dangerous things that most of us do. Make sure your vehicle is in optimal operation condition, regardless of weather and road conditions