Snow & Ice: Vehicle Control & Black Ice Recognition

Snow may be hard-packed and slippery as ice; rutted, full of hard tracks and gullies; or smooth and soft. Look ahead and anticipate what you must do based on the conditions. Slow down on rutted, snowy roads. Avoid sudden steering, braking or accelerating that could cause a skid. Do not use cruise control during times of snow and other inclement weather.

As temperatures drop below freezing, wet roads become icy. Sections of road in shaded areas or on bridges and overpasses freeze first. It is important to look ahead, slow down and anticipate ice. If the road ahead looks like black and shiny asphalt, be suspicious. It may be covered by a thin layer of ice known as black ice. Generally, asphalt in the winter should look gray-white in colour. If you think there may be black ice ahead, slow down and be careful.

Black ice is particularly dangerous because it's nearly invisible. It forms when temperatures hover around the freezing point and moisture on the road surface freezes into a thin, transparent layer. Black ice gets its name because you can see the black asphalt underneath, making it appear that the road is simply wet.

Common locations for black ice include bridges and overpasses (which freeze first due to cold air circulation underneath), shaded areas that don't receive direct sunlight, intersections where vehicles have polished the surface, and areas where water collects and drains across the roadway.

When driving in snowy conditions, reduce your speed significantly and increase following distances to at least 8-10 seconds. Test your vehicle's traction carefully by gently applying brakes or trying to accelerate gradually in a safe area. This will give you a sense of how slippery conditions really are.

Avoid sudden movements - steering, braking, and acceleration should all be gradual and smooth. Sharp inputs can easily break traction on snow and ice. If you must climb a hill in snow, maintain steady momentum without spinning your tires, which can dig ruts and reduce traction.

When descending hills in snow, use engine braking by downshifting to a lower gear rather than relying solely on your brakes. This helps maintain control and prevents brake lockup.