What should you do if you hit black ice?

If you are tired of snow and icy conditions, chances are that you are not alone. There’s a reason why the weather patterns in our region have made headline news. Nevertheless, enduring the weather is what makes us strong, resilient and appreciative of spring. In the meantime, we must drive in these conditions, and that is not always easy despite the snow plows and salt trucks that patrol our streets.

Despite their efforts, there are still areas where black ice can form and present hazards. As we have noted in some of our previous posts, black ice can form when snow (or ice) melts and then refreezes on the street. It can be virtually invisible to drivers until it is too late. But when you hit black ice, what should you do? This post will provide some helpful tips.

Don’t hit the brakes – The natural inclination is to slam on the brakes to avoid sliding into danger, but ironically, hitting the brakes could lead to losing control and spinning into tragedy. Instead, try letting off the accelerator and coasting back into control.

Look for snow – Again, the natural inclination is to avoid snow when you are sliding across the road. However, snow (especially unpacked snow) could give you the traction you need to regain control.

Avoid sharp turns – There is nothing scarier than sliding when you have hit the brakes. You may want to swerve to avoid hitting another vehicle, especially on that is stopped in front of you. But at the same time, sharp turns could send you spinning into danger. So avoid sharp over-corrections.