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Black Ice? Please Don't Panic!!!!!!

Strider590
Strider590 Posts: 11,874 Forumite
Terrible conditions this morning, black ice everywhere.....

But what's with these silly folk who feel the car start to slip a little and then slam on the brakes? What's gonna happen? Seriously?

They are of course going end up sideways and the rest of us are going to end up slamming into the side of them!!!

If you hit black ice, the best thing to do is to remain calm, DON'T brake and make only small adjustments to the steering to keep the car straight!
“I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”

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Comments

  • mikey72
    mikey72 Posts: 14,680 Forumite
    Don't drive so close when you know there is black ice on the roads.
    Leave an adequate stopping distance.
  • The vast majority of motorists today have had no training on how to deal with icy/snowy conditions. I really think it's time that a day on a skidpan or something should be come part of the overall driving test.
  • mikey72 wrote: »
    Don't drive so close when you know there is black ice on the roads.
    Leave an adequate stopping distance.

    Totally agree! People drive too close and too fast for the road conditions to be honest.
  • jackieb
    jackieb Posts: 27,605 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I did everything right when I crashed in black ice. The car 2 cars in front braked on a very slight bend and skidded 360degrees. I changed down gear as I was way back and only going 40. But nothing happened, I started to brake gently, still nothing. Ended up pumping the brakes but nothing happened. The car in front of me hit the front car. I hit the 2nd car, and 2 more behind me hit me. Fortunately I skidded in a straight line! It felt like it happened in slow motion. Seemed to have plenty of time but nothing could stop me except the car in front. When I got out of the car I almost fell as it was so slippery. Scary.
  • ariba10
    ariba10 Posts: 5,432 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You can give all the advice in the world, but there is not a lot you can do on black ice.

    (Apart from staying home)
    I used to be indecisive but now I am not sure.
  • Strider590
    Strider590 Posts: 11,874 Forumite
    I think the point of black ice, is that you don't know it's there........ I got to work this morning and everyone was like "what ice?".

    When the car in front goes sideway of on ice, there's not a lot you can do other than hope they fall into a ditch before you hit them.... Braking will only see the same thing happen to yourself.

    It's irresponsible to give the old generic "keep your braking distance", when the real solution is education in driving in these conditions. It's like giving someone a 4x4 and telling them they can drive as if there's no snow at all.
    “I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”

    <><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><> Don't forget to like and subscribe \/ \/ \/
  • The vast majority of motorists today have had no training on how to deal with icy/snowy conditions. I really think it's time that a day on a skidpan or something should be come part of the overall driving test.

    I agree with this. I've been driving for three years, and would have very little idea of how to cope in black ice.
  • NBLondon
    NBLondon Posts: 5,722 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    The vast majority of motorists today have had no training on how to deal with icy/snowy conditions. I really think it's time that a day on a skidpan or something should be come part of the overall driving test.
    That might be because in many parts of the country; it's been possible for people to learn and pass in the summer; drive through a couple of mild (or wet) winters and not encounter any for at least 3 years. They then either assume they can handle it - or decide never to risk it. Or they learn in a modern driving school car with power steering and ABS and whatnot but buy something older and simpler and don't realise there's a difference when they have to drive in bad conditions.

    I learned to drive in Yorkshire in January - so I did learn a bit about snow! I first discovered black ice driving a Mk2 Escort when I turned left at a mini roundabout and the back end went round faster than the front and turned a 90 degree into a 120 degree turn...
    I need to think of something new here...
  • mikey72
    mikey72 Posts: 14,680 Forumite
    Strider590 wrote: »
    Terrible conditions this morning, black ice everywhere.....

    But what's with these silly folk who feel the car start to slip a little and then slam on the brakes? What's gonna happen? Seriously?

    They are of course going end up sideways and the rest of us are going to end up slamming into the side of them!!!

    If you hit black ice, the best thing to do is to remain calm, DON'T brake and make only small adjustments to the steering to keep the car straight!
    Strider590 wrote: »
    I think the point of black ice, is that you don't know it's there........ I got to work this morning and everyone was like "what ice?".

    When the car in front goes sideway of on ice, there's not a lot you can do other than hope they fall into a ditch before you hit them.... Braking will only see the same thing happen to yourself.

    It's irresponsible to give the old generic "keep your braking distance", when the real solution is education in driving in these conditions. It's like giving someone a 4x4 and telling them they can drive as if there's no snow at all.

    Only the first patch should be a shock. You should anticipate it happening again, and drive accordingly.
    If you find every patch of black ice "everywhere" a surprise, you're not driving to the conditions.

    (Only you would find suggesting keeping adequate braking distance irresponible)
  • rodenal
    rodenal Posts: 831 Forumite
    GillsMan7 wrote: »
    I agree with this. I've been driving for three years, and would have very little idea of how to cope in black ice.

    To be honest other than generally driving more carefully and leaving a suitable gap to the car(s) in front you don't really need to do anything differently to what you would do in any situation where you lose control of the car - steady but deliberate inputs are what is needed, even then you will more than likely be a passenger. It's one thing knowing what to do it's another reacting the right way when it takes you by surprise. Even extra training can't guarantee you'll do the right thing if it actually happens or that it'll matter, wouldn't hurt though.
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