When you’re driving a vehicle that has excellent snow tires and you have enough tread, it may not cross your mind to slow down or go easy when the roads could be icy. While having good tires can make a difference in the ability to stop and maneuver your vehicle, they are in no way a guarantee that you won’t slip and slide around the roads.
Ice roads are very dangerous because they stop your tires from getting any grip at all. Unlike the way that tread moves snow or water away from the base of the tire, there is nothing to funnel. Instead, the entire tire loses traction on the icy patch.
Different kinds of ice may influence your ability to drive safely
There are a few kinds of ice that you might run into on your drive. Surface ice may spread across the road’s surface and make it hard for your tires to get a good grip. Black ice might form in areas where water tends to gather, even though there is no other visible ice. Black ice is usually not seen until it causes a problem.
Sleet is another type of icy-rain mixture that can quickly lead to slick roads. The small crystals of ice land on the road, and if it’s cold enough, cement into more solid ice once reaching the ground.
When is ice at its worst?
What you may find interesting is that ice is the most slick between 26°F and 32°F. At warmer temperatures, it may begin to crack and break, making it easier for vehicles to stay on the road. At lower temperatures, it hardens enough that there isn’t much water on the surface to cause slips or slides.
Thousands of people will suffer personal injuries this year as a result of icy roads. If you want to avoid a collision, remember to stay prepared. Check the weather before you go out, and be sure that your tires have good tread. If there is ice on the road, see if you can wait to travel until the roads have been salted and cleared.