Stay Cautious of Black Ice

On February 5, 2018, black ice and icy roads caused “more than 650 crashes killed at least 5 people on Missouri roads,” according to The Weather Channel.  A 12 car pileup killed a 63-year old woman on eastbound I-44 and ice and freezing rain cancelled flights at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

The Riverfront Times also reported that a dusting of snow and ice had turned miles “of Interstate 44 into a collection of twisted metal.”  Missouri Highway Patrol Troopers and first emergency personnel responded to “more than 100 roadway crashes” on I-44. The accidents stranded and injured dozens of people, according to media reports.

Another round of black ice slammed St. Louis in late 2018

On November 10, 2018, black ice appeared on St. Louis roads when “scattered snow showers melted and refroze Friday night” – creating the perfect conditions for the dangerous ice.  It caused a “flurry of accidents across the St. Louis Area,” according to KMOV-TV.  The accidents  shut down highways  – some for hours – on a number of Interstates and local roads.

What causes black ice?

According to Accuweather, black ice forms overnight “when it’s raining and the air is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and low ground temperature” causes precipitation to freeze as soon as it hits the ground.  Sleet and runoff from melting snow that refreezes also causes black ice. Drivers can’t see black ice since it looks like wet pavement.

Accuweather calls black ice “the most dangerous” of the threats facing winter drivers because it’s “slippery, hard-to-spot and potentially deadly.”  According to Esurance, “nearly 22 percent (nearly 1.3 million) of all car accidents are winter related,” making winter “ the most dangerous season” for drivers and black ice one of the “two main culprits” causing deadly accidents.

According to USA Today, while the number of deadly winter accidents “dwarfs the number of deaths resulting from tornadoes, hurricanes or floods,” winter accidents don’t get as much media attention.  Yet every year, more than 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 are injured in wrecks on snowy, slushy and icy pavement, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

It’s scary when a car hits black ice

Cars glide on black ice like skaters at ice rinks since tires have no traction. If a car hits black ice, State Farm advises drivers not to turn the wheel, not to hit the gas, letting the car glide until it gets past the ice.  Drivers with anti-lock brake systems should press down firmly on the brake pedal. Otherwise, drivers should gently pump the brakes.

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