Avoiding ice as a pedestrian on the pavements is relatively simple most of the time, but when you’re in a car it might not be so easy.
Anything which makes road conditions hazardous is a risk to the safety of road users and their passengers, whether or not they are a young driver, but black ice is especially dangerous.
The more driving experience a motorist gets, the better they may be able to avoid this hazard, but new driver insurance policyholders and experienced motorists can both be caught unawares.
Black ice
Although black ice is not really any different scientifically from ‘normal’ ice, it has a different name because of its appearance.
Black ice forms in a thin layer without any bubbles inside it, making it less visible to road users. Because it is a thin layer of ice, the surface underneath tends to still be visible thereby camouflaging it further from a driver’s view.
If motorists do not spot black ice, it could cause them to lose control of their vehicle and be involved in an accident.
How to spot black ice
Visually, black ice can look like a puddle. Here are some tips on how not to be taken in by its disguise.
- If it’s below freezing outside there’s always a likelihood that there will be ice on the road, so, firstly, it is important to be aware of the possibility of slippery road surfaces and drive carefully as a precaution.
- If the car in front of you drives through a puddle and there is no splash, or it is not disturbed by the wheels passing through it, the puddle is probably black ice, so slow down gently to pass over it safely.
- Even if the temperature gauge in your car is telling you that it’s above freezing outside, there are still some areas of the road which could be below freezing. Take care when driving over bridges and flyovers, or through tunnels and on shady areas of the road. Air temperature is generally lower in these places and they may still be icy when the rest of the road is not.
How to spot great car insurance
Spotting black ice might be tricky, but knowing a good car insurance quote when you see one is much easier.
We provide miles-based and new driver insurance at great prices which you won’t receive from many other insures.
See what we could do for you by getting a quote with us now.