Black ice, also known as clear ice, is possibly the most treacherous road condition drivers face, especially in winter. It forms as a thin glaze on the top of the pavement and is essentially invisible. Unsuspecting drivers who hit black ice will feel their vehicle ‘floating’ or ‘hovering’ instead of connecting with the roadway. Tires lose traction, and the car feels out of control, often skidding or fishtailing.
Driving in states like Colorado, where weather conditions are unpredictable, can be a special challenge, and a good driver’s educational background is necessary. For example, Westminster driving lessons give new drivers the skills and confidence to stay safe, from handling everyday traffic to navigating tricky conditions like black ice.
In the guide, we’ll learn more about the conditions that cause black ice and what to do if we encounter it while driving on one of those scary Colorado roads.
What is Black Ice and Why is it Hazardous?
Black ice is a relatively uncommon occurrence, but drivers can often be unaware of what’s happening when it forms. To that end, it’s essential to know what black ice is and how and when it forms.
Black ice forms when the temperatures hover just below freezing. Drizzle or light rain hit the pavement and freeze, forming a glaze of ultra-slippery invisible ice that blends in with the pavement. Like pedestrians who slip on black ice, vehicles weighing tons can start to slide after hitting a patch of black ice.
Black ice tends to form on bridges because bridges are exposed to cold air on all sides, with cold air circulating above and below, unlike roads that sit on top of the ground. This is a classic question on a driver’s license test, and it’s important to remember it. You’ll also find black ice on shaded roads, more often in the early morning and evening.
Preparing Before You Drive on Black Ice
Preparing for inclement weather, including the potential for black ice, is the best way to stay safe. A low-pressure tire can’t pass over black ice as easily as a properly inflated one. Driving with low tires is never a good idea, but it’s hazardous when driving on any type of ice, including black ice.
Black ice often forms when the roadway is ‘slushy’ and the mixture of snow, ice, and rain gets kicked up onto your windshield. Keep a bottle of windshield wiper on hand so you’re not trying to see through a caked-up windshield. You don’t want limited visibility to be a factor if you encounter black ice and cause an accident with other cars.
Check weather reports and road alerts. Many phone apps, including the Weather Channel app for conditions updates and road alerts, are available on apps like Waze.
Tips for Driving Safely on Black Ice When Winter Driving
If you hit black ice, stay calm and don’t panic. Your tires will likely soon reconnect with the pavement before you lose control. Hard braking will make the situation worse and possibly initiate skidding or spinning. Instead, tap the brake pedal lightly and avoid any other sudden movements while braking. ABS (Anti-lock braking system) works well on black ice, because it keeps your brakes from locking up when you slam on the brakes.
To that end, don’t try to compensate with sharp steering motions, which can also send your vehicle into a spin. Instead, keep steering steadily and gently. If you feel your vehicle sliding, calmly take your foot off the accelerator and let it naturally slow down. In short, don’t overreact when you hit black ice; stay calm and steady.
What To Do If You Hit Black Ice
If you must drive in bad weather, head out knowing the potential for hitting black ice and keeping it top of mind. Phone apps that can tell you where black ice has been spotted ahead. There are tactics for driving if you do hit black ice. The goal is to prevent skidding.
Keep your hands steadily on the steering wheel and focus on your intended path — don’t fixate on a guardrail or ditch you’re trying to avoid. Never jerk the steering wheel, use light steering adjustments, and don’t slam on the brakes. Suppose your vehicle has ABS brakes; brake steadily. Within seconds, you’ll likely feel your tires regain traction gradually. However, you can hit other patches of black ice further up the road.
Slow down and drive carefully. We’ve all seen the driver who flies by us in the passenger lane over the limit, throwing back ice, melted snow, and salt. It should go without saying, but slow down when driving in bad weather, especially when the conditions are perfect for black ice driving.
Preventing Black Ice Accidents
The simplest way to avoid black ice accidents is to prepare. In this case, assume the worst when driving in rain or snow, just under freezing. If you drive as if hidden ice is on the roadways, you won’t find yourself moving too fast or attempting to pass other motorists. This happens often with 4-wheel drive vehicles that can give a false sense of security when driving in bad weather.
Don’t rely on cruise control in any icy conditions. The key to recovering from a black ice skid is to have full control of your vehicle so you can safely keep it on the road without skidding or crashing.
When driving in bad weather, build in extra travel time because it will take longer to reach your destination than if the weather were dry. Also, stay alert. Don’t drive if you’re tired or have been drinking.
American Driving Academy Lessons Focus on Safety
Great driving schools and instructors graduate successful drivers who keep the roads safe and free from unavoidable accidents. With more than a dozen Colorado locations, American Driving Academy teaches thousands of driving students annually and tens of thousands over the 17 years we’ve been in business.
Few students fail their driver’s license test after taking one or a combination of our behind-the-wheel, 30-hour online, 30-hour classroom lessons, or our full program. Instructors thoroughly cover and test knowledge of bad weather driving techniques, such as how to drive on black ice.
Contact American Driving Academy to find a Colorado location near you for lessons and test-taking. New students can easily drive to one of our many locations within a half hour at most.
American Driving Academy is Colorado's largest driving school, serving drivers across 15 Colorado locations since 1999, with more than 400,000 customers served through driver's ed, permit testing, drive testing, and behind-the-wheel lessons.