Beware of black ice while on the roads this winter

If you’ve been on the roads in the past 24 hours, you know how bad the roads are. Slick, black ice has caused hundreds of auto accidents through New York and New Jersey. According to news reports, the slippery roadways have led to nearly 700 crashes throughout the area since Sunday. Although warmer temperatures are making travel easier, it is wintertime and black ice won’t be going away any time soon.

For anyone who has learned to drive in the Northeast knows how dangerous black ice can be. Unlike snow, it is hard to determine whether it is present on the roadways. The roadway may just look slick, until you start feeling your vehicle slide. You must remember that whenever the roadway looks slick during this time of year, chances are black ice is present.

If you are driving on the road after a freezing rain has fallen, be aware that black ice is probably present. If you do hit a patch of black ice, keep these tips in mind:

• Remain calm. You may want to panic but this can be the worst thing to do. Instead, try to keep the wheel straight.
• Whatever you don’t even touch the brakes. This will cause you to skid. Instead, lift your foot off the accelerator, allowing the car to slow down.
• If you have the ability, shift to a lower gear to gain more control over the car.
• Try to find an area where there’s more traction, even if it’s a snow-covered area.
• If you do start to skid, stay calm and slowly pump your brakes while steering the car in the direction of the skid.
• If you go off the road, try to hit something that will cause a minimum amount of damage.

If you do get into a car accident and are injured, you’re going to need an experienced attorney. For more than 26 years, the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone has been handling car accident cases throughout New Jersey. Don’t delay, contact us today for a free consultation.

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