What safety precautions should I take when driving in black ice conditions?

R J

black ice. not driving on it is the best advise, but if necessary, then alot slower is the best you can do. if you happen upon it as your driving, keep a slow steady pace. dont take your foot off the accelerator completely, if any one has ever driven a manual vehicle or big truck, you'll know the deceleration or back pressure will cause the rear wheels to go slower then travel speed, causing a skid. much like jack braking a big truck on ice, and having it stall. if your driving on ice right from the start, you'll get used to the feel of it as you go. and once again, slow is best. if it happens you start to skid, or spin out, your back end will try to go sideways one way or the other, and you turn your wheel in the direction your traveling, and just slowly let off the accelerator until the wheel speed matches travel speed again. do not brake if you can help it. you'll have to learn to keep your speed, and avoid things instead. if you need to brake or stop on ice, then try to get to the edge of the road where there may be snow or sand left and use it for a bit of traction, and slow down on it. ditches are your best panic defense in an emergency, as collisions are not a great alternative. one reason that big trucks keep going in icy conditions is that truckers know their tires heat up as they turn even when the temperature is -40 C. warm tires on frozen ice on a road make them very sticky (like licking a steel pole) , but its only while they are still moving.

loser

By staying home. No really, it is very hard to stop, but one thing you can do is slip your car into neutral. Some times the drive wheels will keep pushing/pulling you into your slid.
Good luck and be safe.

Munya Says: DUH!

SLOW down to begin with....Watch out for bridges and overpasses, those usually get icy first. And do not slam on your brakes, that will send your car into a spin. Try to steer towards the edge of the road, where there might be more traction.

Clint M

First and foremost, keep your foot out of the throttle and out of the brake! You will also want to keep your wheels straight for when you have crossed the patch and regain traction.
As far as if you are moving across one and have lost traction, you have no controll. That's the bottom line, it's up to inertia and gravity at that point. Turning the wheels won't help, throttle won't help and brakes won't stop you. Trying any of these while you are in a state of lost traction while on ice will do nothing but the second you gain traction again whatever you have doen with the throttle, brake or steering wheel is sure to have you screwed.

rockupu

On black ice, the best way to deal with it is to stay at home!!!! Snow is somewhat different, you begin a skid, turn your steering wheel in the same direction the rear of the car is skidding. But on ice, not much works, not even spiked tires.

George

Always lower your speed by 25% in black ice conditions. Even more so when making turns and make sure you have winter or all-weather tires. High to medium bridges are notorious for black ice conditions even when the temp is o nly moderately cold and damp.
Peace,

Nikolas S

Liza, what is black ice conditions? Explain this to me and I will tell you how to stop your car.

ChynaWhyte

Gently pump your breaks, and try to drive at a lower speed to prevent a long slide.

allansc2005

Have me drive you instead(-;

MaryBeth

Stop a few inches at a time--not all at once.

Shockey Monkey

When your in black ice conditions, keep your speed down.
If you skid, turn into the skid and hopefully you'll regain control if it's a small patch of ice.
If not, hold tight you just there for the ride. nothing you can do.

urbaal_99

Go slower whenever you can and avoid anything that looks like a puddle.

If you begin to skid, turn the wheel in the direction you want the front of the car to go (this is called turning into the skid).

Finally, always aim for the shoulder if you must slide into something. Unless the sidewalks are always crowded, I would risk hitting a telelphone pole at 30mph rather than a car the opposite way also doing 30mph (that's like hitting a pole at 60mph).

oklatom

If at all possible, don't drive on it at all.

If you absolutely must, remember two things. SLOW and stay off the brakes. When you brake the wheels don't turn and you can't steer. Drive slowly, drive defensively, and stay off the brakes so you can steer around problems rather than skid into them. (Chains won't help on ice by the way, only on snow).

~*Sweet Pea*~

The way you should drive in ice covered road is drive slow and keep a good distance away from the other drivers. If you do hit ice then tap your brake really soft, do not slam the break then you will lose control of the vehicle! If you start to feel the vehicle slide then turn softy in to the slide, don't try to fight the slide then you will lose control. Drive Safe It Is Crazy In That Weather!!!!

frigon_p

Precautions:
1) have winter tires
2) stay far behind other vehicles
3) reduce speed according to road scondition

Remedies in case of skid:
1) never jam on the brakes. use light pumping action on the brake pedal, and make sure you regain control with the steering wheel in between each pump. Anti lock brakes are a great help at this.
2) if the front is skidding, pump the brakes lightly, and eventually it will grip
3) if the rear wants to com around the front, stay off the brakes, and turn the wheels in the direction the rear is going.

Be safe!

momaab

Learning to drive in snow and ice is fun! Find an empty parking lot with the right conditions and practice if you can, every car handles a little differently.

FRONT WHEEL DRIVE: The biggest problem facing most winter drivers is skidding on slick, icy or snow covered roads. It is possible to steer out of a skid! Once you feel your car begin to skid, slowly remove your foot from the accelerator, until you feel your wheels regain traction control. (Do not attempt to brake!) As your vehicle's tires grab the road, slowly turn the steering wheel in the direction you want your front wheels to go.

REAR WHEEL DRIVE: When you begin to spin, remove your foot from the gas pedal. Slowly steer in the direction you want the car to go. If you are still skidding out of control, counter-steer until your vehicle is pointing in the right direction. Never apply steady pressure to the brakes.

The link below has more tips.

trailrider

Drive at a slower speed and keep your distance from other vehicles. If you have an automatic, drive in a lower gear. It gives more power to the engine and deccelatates quicker without using the brakes. Don't slam on the brakes and break gradually. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination. In case you get stranded, take along 1 liter of water, blanket, and some food (granola bars, fruit snacks), enough to give you energy. You can also take a small tuna fish can, and a votive candle and set it on your dash to give you heat.

doug b

basicly ,drive slower,as for black ice ,you cant see it and by the time you find out you are on it you have very little control over where you are going.if you find yourself on a long stretch then slip the trans into neutral and coast and steer very slowly towards the shoulder of the road,usually more traction there,try to stay off the brakes and try not to panic
good luck

emoneymoneyemoney

Drive slow. If you find yourself in a skid turn your wheels with the skid and drive out of it. If you try to overcorrect you might get in real trouble.

just me

Amazing...some of the answers!.Probably from people who have never seen or experienced black ice.

The best answers...don't drive or get off the road. If you're moving any faster than real slow...and you even touch the breaks or change direction...hold on for the ride...and pray that you find a soft landing!! Cars and trucks don't steer on glare ice...it's physics! Studded snow tire help big time...but not at high speeds...again...physics. Therefore, to avoid accidents...get or stay off the road...go real slow...keep big distance between you and the car in front AND behind you.

bradschuman

It's best to turn AWAY from whatever direction you are skidding in. If you don't have anti-lock brakes, then "pump" your brakes--pushing the brake down full force will just make you lose control more. If you have traction control, make sure its turned on before you start on the road.
DRIVE SLOW AND CAREFUL, and you'll hopefully avoid all of the above. "Black Ice" can come out of nowhere literally...always be wary when you know the temperature is below freezing.

Brina

don't drive at all

eatagayfoetusforjesus

Stop the car.

Get out of the car.

Put your tongue on the road to test how icy it is.

Repeat for every 5 to 10 metres travelled.

ATLien

take a drivers ed course you loser

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