Winter Weather Driving Tips: How To Handle Black Ice And Snow-Covered Roads

Colder, winter weather wreaks havoc on drivers, as it brings more dangerous road conditions like snow-covered roads and black ice. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 440 fatal crashes and an estimated 33,000 injury crashes in 2019 that took place during wintry conditions. We want you to stay safe out there, so here are some winter weather driving tips to keep in mind.

Driving In Winter Weather

The most important thing to remember when driving in winter weather is to slow down. When driving on slick or snow-covered roads, it is hard to control or stop your vehicle. The NHTSA estimated 182,000 police-reported crashes in 2019 during wintry conditions.

Another tip to follow is to increase your following distance when driving. You need to give yourself enough time to stop for vehicles in front of you, which takes longer with slick roads. When snow plows are on the road, make sure to not crowd them or drive right next to them. They make frequent stops and turns, so give them the space they need.

What Is Black Ice?

One of the most dangerous aspects of driving in winter has to be black ice. It is often called "black" ice, but in theory it is just normal ice that forms on asphalt. However, it is just a thin layer of ice that forms on the asphalt, so it blends in with the color of the asphalt. This gives it a black appearance when looking at it up close.

For black ice, it normally forms when it rains out and then temperatures are at or drop below freezing. It also forms when we get those influx in temperatures, so the snow melts during the day, giving us large puddles of water. At night, the temperatures drop below zero again and that sheet of black ice forms.

Why Is It So Dangerous?

The issue with black ice is that drivers can't see it, since it blends in with the road. If drivers aren't seeing it, then they aren't preparing themselves to drive over it. Once they do, their tires can't grip the ice and their brakes won't work properly on it.

This causes the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Black ice can cause vehicles to spin 180 or even 360 degrees or more, which is a huge risk factor for a crash. When the brakes don't grip, drivers often start mashing their brakes, which is a huge mistake. By braking hard on black ice, it can cause your vehicle to slide, which results in even less control for you.

Tips For Driving Over Black Ice

Since black ice is pretty hard to see when sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle, it can be hard to avoid. If you are driving and hit some black ice, remember these driving tips:

• Take your foot off the gas immediately - Speeding up will only make you lose more control of your vehicle. By taking your foot off the gas, it allows your vehicle to start slowing down naturally without having to use the brake.
• Don't brake - Speaking of the brake, resist that urge to stomp on the brakes. Even if you have anti-lock brakes, they aren't effective on ice and by hitting them, it can cause you to enter a tailspin.
• Keep the steering wheel straight - Do not try to turn out of black ice. You need to focus on driving in a straight line while coasting away from the ice.

Changes That Take Place During Winter Months

With colder temperatures, you may start to notice some changes happening to your vehicle. Keep these things in mind and follow the tips for each:

• Tires - Lower temperatures mean lower tire inflation pressure. Make sure your tires are inflated to the manufacturer's recommended inflation pressure. Check the tires when they are cold (you have not driven on them in at least three hours). Make sure you have a spare tire available.
• Batteries - Lower temperatures mean lower battery power. With colder temperatures, gasoline and diesel engines take more battery power to start. Electric and hybrid-electric vehicles can have their driving range reduced in colder temperatures. Have a mechanic check your battery, charging system and belts in case any repairs or replacements are needed.
• Floor Mats - The wet snow and slushy conditions get tracked into your vehicle and end up on the floor mats. The winter months may be a good time to start using a thicker material floor mat or even rubbery ones. The mats can move around and impede on your use of the gas or brake pedal, which is not a good thing.

In Case of an Emergency

If you do get stopped or stalled in wintry weather, remember to stay focused and do these things:

• Stay with your car and don't overexert yourself
• Make sure your car can be seen. Do this by putting bright markers on the antenna or windows and keep the interior dome light on.
• Be mindful of carbon monoxide poisoning, if your car is still running. Do this by making sure the exhaust pipe is clear of any snow and make sure to run your vehicle only sporadically (just enough to keep warm). Do not run your vehicle for a long amount of time, especially with the windows up or in an enclosed space.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.