As we head into winter, there are some important things to remember about driving on our roads during the colder months.
One of the more treacherous conditions is the presence of black ice. Black ice is a thin sheet of ice on the road that is dark in appearance, making it extremely hard for drivers to see. It is often found around waterways and lakes, more often in cooler areas that do not get the sun.
Black ice can cause drivers to lose control.
The Eastern Bay has several spots where black ice is prevalent during winter.
Here are some tips for winter driving in areas where there is black ice:
- Avoid sudden braking
- Drive slowly
- Avoid sudden direction changes
- Leave large following distances
- Look for shiny, wet patches on the road
Wet roads will also result in slippery surfaces, which reduces friction from the tyres.
This can become particularly dangerous when driving around corners and braking and accelerating. Take extra care and avoid jabbing the brakes, sharp cornering and excessive accelerating.
Having good vision is important. Moist atmospheric conditions combined with greasy screens can cause fogging of the windscreen. Clean your screen and all interior glass properly and remove any grease with detergents or a glass cleaner.
Also ensure your wiper blades are in good working order.