Approaching winter weather brings black ice road hazards

It’s that time of year again when we start to see black ice on the roads.

These slick spots can form a few different ways. One way is when it rains in the atmosphere, but the surface temperature is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This causes the rain to freeze on impact, creating ice. It can also form with sleet and the refreezing of snow or water.

Black ice is most common in areas that are shaded or tree-covered, where it’s hard for sunlight to reach the ground. It’s also commonly found on bridges and overpasses.

The prime time for ice formation is between sunset and sunrise when temperatures are the lowest. You can use your car thermometer as an initial gauge for determining road conditions, but depending on the placement of this thermometer on your car, it might not be reliable.

One of the best methods to see if there’s black ice is to look at the pavement before you drive. If it’s dry, but there are shiny spots, there’s most likely black ice and you should be more vigilant on the road.

"You need to leave a little bit earlier than you normally would, and you need to leave a little bit of distance between you and the car in front of you," Bowling Green Police Department Officer Ronnie Ward said. "Drive slower and be prepared for a bad situation."

If you do happen to hit black ice while driving, keep these tips in mind.

If you do start sliding, don’t jam the brake and don’t jam the gas. Just let off the gas and then turn your wheels towards the slide, and just let the car naturally slow down. And then, start applying the break afterward," Ward said. "The biggest thing you can do is just don’t panic, and that will keep you from ending up in a bigger mess."