Biting cold laces the air, snow falls blanketing the state in white powder, and the roads glisten with freezing ice. It can only mean one thing. It is winter in New Jersey. With the constant flurry of snow and wind chills coming in, it can be difficult to commute and navigate in the state. Driving in particular seems almost impossible. Black ice is one of the primary causes. Ice on the road makes up for 13% of all weather-related accidents. Learn more about this matter to better protect yourself while driving.
What is Black Ice?
Black ice refers to the clear sheets of ice that form during extremely cold climates. While the ice is not actually black, it is named so because of its transparency. The clear nature causes the ice to look black because of the pavement below. According to the American Meteorological Society, black ice is defined as,
a thin sheet of ice, relatively dark in appearance, [that] may form when light rain or drizzle falls on a road surface that is at a temperature below 0 °C.
Black ice places drivers in peril because of their slippery nature. At Levinson Axelrod, we want you to be careful this winter. That is why we hope these key facts will help you navigate roads with black ice.
Things to Know About Black Ice
- Black ice is similar to regular ice. It forms without bubbles, causing it to blend into the pavement. This makes it difficult to detect the ice in advance.
- Although black ice can be found in a number of places, there are certain areas it is more likely to form. Highly shaded places, infrequently used roads and sidewalks, and bridges / overpasses are common areas black ice can form.
- Black ice tends to form during the early mornings or later evenings, when the weather is at its coldest. During the afternoon, the sunlight usually helps warm the roads. Drive carefully during dawn and dusk.
- Although black ice is hard to detect, watch out for glossy or dark patches on the streets. Adjust your driving speed and do not panic if you do believe black ice covers the road.
Many car accidents occur because of bad weather conditions. Although it would be safest to not drive during the winter, we know that that is not an option for many. We hope these facts help you navigate the New Jersey streets carefully. However, if you suffered an auto accident because of someone else’s negligence, contact our experienced attorneys at Levinson Axelrod today. We offer free consultations to help our clients with their cases.