Black Ice

[blkmagikca]

Let me clarify – the road looked bare and dry; it did not have the slick look of a wet road. Even when I got out of the car, the road looked dry – the ice had formed into tiny clear balls that made the road look dry - yet, it was so slippery that I actually slipped and fell.

This occurred on Highway 417 at the bridge over the railway lines at Casselman. I had plenty of winter driving experience (being a native Montrealer), but I had never before encountered this type of condition where the roads looked as bare and dry as it does in summer. I had driven that road many times (living in Ottawa and going to university in Montreal). It was late at night and I was tired, having driven to Montreal earlier that day to submit the research paper for my MBA.

[gandttimes]

Originally Posted by interstateflyer

Thanks George. That really helps.

I apologize for the snarky reply. I read you incorrectly.
What I should have said was, being from the west coast myself, we have plenty of black ice especially in the hills and most often, it will be where the road is in the shadow of a rock face or outcrop that the sun hasn't got to yet. The road will look black but as you are coming off an area where the sun has warmed the road and going onto the cooler road surface. That is where the black slick ice is hiding.
Watch for the shadowy areas when it is right around freezing. Helps to have an outside temperature indicator that will tell you "ice".


George

[tjdonahoe]

Is all I can say is keep your foot off the brakes, that is what starts your problems, all the gravel is not in the driving lane , it already blowed off, it is at or beyond the fog line on the edge of the road.....

[mandolindave]

I once read that 31 and 33 degrees is more dangerous than 32 degrees in wet situations….don't know why????

I had to make a 40 minute round trip, not knowing there was a major black ice event going on. I MADE IT HOME 6 HOURS LATER While parked in a parking lot with emergency brake on, and trannny in park…the wind blew…My pickup truck slid sideways about ten feet. On the way home, I saw cars off the road, and it was a straight stretch of road. Buses parked on the side of the road, and I imagine the bus drivers just saying a big NOPE!

Another time I was warned of wide spread black ice, and was told to stay put. After the salt trucks did their magic, I had zero problems, until I set foot on my unsalted driveway. THINK…THE AGONY OF DEFEAT……THEN picture me doing the very best Michael Jackson moonwalk impersonation, while trying to make it to the house.

AVOID BLACK ICE . It could be that dealing with black ice situations is a bit easier in northern regions where the DOT has more trucks, salt , and manpower to deal with it

[Fly at Night]

This Canadian has hit black ice (sans trailer) many times. The worse times - sent me spinning before I could think of doing anything. Frankly, when it hits like that - there is little you can do - I just hung onto the wheel for dear life (with foot off accelerator and brake).

So, like the previous poster wrote, avoid it as much as possible. Overpasses, bridges, and the shady side of the road are notoriously bad. Watch for changeable temperatures/road conditions. Wet road by day - down to freezing at night - look out!

Slush on the side of the road can be worse. If your outside wheel hits that - it is like black ice. You're out of control. (Happened to me right in front of the R.C.M. Police station....with all those mounties looking out the window. Ha!