Winter weather advisory extended – tips for traveling safely
RABUN COUNTY — With the arrival of Winter Storm Inga, it left parts of Northeast and West Georgia in a scramble, along with some portions of South Carolina.
A multitude of government offices had no other choice but to close due to the accumulation of snow from Wednesday’s winter storm. Now, the Georgia Department of Transportation is facing a more slick problem – ice.
A thin layer of ice, otherwise known as “black ice”, covers many shady streets in various locations around the county and surrounding locations making travel treacherous.
With last nights temperatures dropping below freezing and a continued delay of warmth until the afternoon hours when the sun is at its peak, the National Weather Service has extended its Winter Weather Advisory Alert until noon today.
Local law enforcement and public safety have advised staying off the roads until the sun does it’s part and melts the icy patches. But if you must be on the roads today, here are some tips to help make your travel a safer one:
How to spot black ice
Spotting black ice is tricky because it looks like water. The best thing to do is to be aware of the weather conditions. If it’s below freezing or supposed to drop below freezing while you’re out driving, assume that every wet spot you see is a patch of black ice. That may seem like overkill, but you’d be surprised how many times that assumption will prevent a spin-out or worse. If your car has an external temperature display inside and reads 32 degrees or below, any wet spots you see are likely black ice.
How to avoid it
Driving on black ice is difficult to avoid. First, you have to keep your eyes open for it. If you see a spot you think might be black ice, drive around it as long as it’s safe to do so. It’s also a good idea to know the places in your town or city that are particularly prone to black ice and to avoid them whenever you have to drive in freezing temperatures. Finally, keep your eyes open for skid marks or stranded motorists.
1. Go slow and steady
Just like driving in snow, you’ll want to go slowly and steadily over patches of black ice. Unlike snow, which still offers a little traction for your tires, black ice is completely smooth, and your tires won’t stick at all. As a result, it can be difficult to stop if you’re going too fast. When you reach a patch of black ice, take your foot off the accelerator immediately.
Additionally, keeping a straight wheel is advisable since you should be able to coast safely over the ice. If you turn your wheel while driving on black ice, you’ll increase the likelihood of losing control of your vehicle. If you start to skid and have to turn, be sure to turn into the skid.
2. Avoid braking or pump brakes
Brakes can be your best friend in many driving emergencies, but not black ice skids. When you approach black ice, let off the brake before your tires make contact. If you’re going too fast and need to brake a little, pump the brakes to avoid going into a full-on skid. Don’t slam on the brakes under any circumstances — you’ll only make your situation worse by doing so.
3. Know how to handle a skid
One of the biggest mistakes drivers make when driving on black ice is overcorrecting a skid. This can compound the problem quickly by sending the car spinning in the other direction. Gently turn into the skid while pumping the brakes. As the skid breaks, return the steering wheel to normal. Once your tires get traction on the road again, you should find it easy to correct from there.
4. Studded tires, snow chains, and four-wheel drive won’t help
While these three features can be helpful in heavy snow, they are virtually useless on black ice. Again, black ice offers no traction at all, which means increasing traction is a moot point. Don’t think you’re invincible with any of these snow tools. You’re better off having a winter emergency kit in case an accident does occur — at least you’ll be safe until help arrives.
5. Watch the temperature
Most cars these days come with an external thermometer. Pay attention to the reading during the winter months and if it drops to freezing (32 degrees F), expect that you’ll run into black ice somewhere. To be extra safe, use caution even when the reading is only near freezing as many car thermometers pick up heat readings from the engine, which can make it seem warmer outside than it actually is.