Black ice is invisible to drivers, which is why they aren’t anticipating it and get in crashes as a result
Black ice forms when the air temperature is warmer than the pavement which causes moisture to freeze rapidly and creates a transparent layer of ice on the road (taking the colour of the pavement)
Need to be extra cautious on bridges, overpasses, and tunnels, as well as in the morning when the temperature of the air increases quicker than the pavement temperature
Do not brake on black ice – brake approaching it, apply pressure during
Distance needed to stop on black ice is twice as long as normal, and the space in front of you should be twice as long as well (6 car distance)
Salting and sanding camouflage the look of black ice, therefore making it harder to see and less effective to stop
Ways to be as safe as possible include: preparing your car for winter in the fall (snow tires, windshield wiper fluid, oil change, etc), emergency kits, know how to properly drive in the winter and the related conditions before you need them, plan trip (roads you will use, traffic, weather conditions), take off all snow from your entire vehicle (lights, rear windshield, front windshield, top of car, etc), budget extra time, do not use cruise control, make sure your cell phone is fully charged when leaving, and slow down and always wear seatbelt