Black ice – unpredictable danger

The weather is unpredictable at the moment… first it snows, then it rains and then it gets bitterly cold overnight.
You don’t always get a warning from the weather service about the danger of black ice.
Suddenly the road is as smooth as glass: black ice forms in seconds.
The vehicle is almost impossible to control.

What is black ice?

Black ice forms when raindrops hit the frozen ground and freeze there. The result is a mirror-smooth ice surface in a matter of seconds. Sometimes it is then no longer possible to continue the journey safely. In this case it is better to leave your car at home! Because black ice is even more treacherous and slippery than other black ice.

If you are driving and the black ice takes you by surprise, it is best to take a short break in a parking lot.
The gritting services usually provide relief after a short time.

To recognize the danger at an early stage, you should always pay attention to the temperature display in the car in winter. From a temperature of three degrees plus, driving can become risky, especially on bridges or in lanes through a forest. There is a risk of black ice when it rains.

Always keep an eye on other road users. If the car in front of you starts to skid, you should take your foot off the accelerator immediately. In addition, in unfavorable weather conditions, you should not switch to side roads with little traffic, as it can take longer for the gritting service to defuse the situation.

This is the best way to drive on black ice:

Regularly check the condition of the road surface. To do this, brake briefly on a straight stretch of road while holding the steering wheel firmly. If you notice that the road is slippery, you must increase the safety distance to the vehicle in front. Brake carefully and avoid hectic steering movements. Stay in your lane on the highway or multi-lane roads if possible.

Your TÜFA-TEAM wishes you a safe journey at all times!