---
title: Black Ice Driving Tips
description: How to drive on black ice
---

[Ice Slicer Blog ](https://blog.iceslicer.redmond.com)

# [Black Ice Driving Tips](https://blog.iceslicer.redmond.com/black-ice-driving-tips)

 Written by [Brooke Loeffler](https://blog.iceslicer.redmond.com/author/brooke-loeffler) | Nov 9, 2023 7:00:00 AM

## What is Black Ice?

The term “black ice” is a little bit of a misnomer. The ice is still transparent, but forms a glaze over paved surfaces and blends in with the surface below. Black ice is extremely dangerous because it is so difficult to detect and is much slicker than grainy snow.

### *What to Watch For?*

If you have enough light and you pay close attention, you can sometimes spot black ice before you drive over it. The road surface will be glossy and shiny like a newly painted black car. 

Black ice can form in a wide range of conditions:

- Thaw-freeze cycles during/after a snowstorm
- Freezing rain
- Moisture from the air condensing and freezing on surfaces
- Coldest hours in the night or early morning before the sun rises

Black ice can form anywhere but is more likely to occur in the following areas:

- Persistent shade (behind buildings, tree lined routes, tunnels, below overpasses, etc.)
- Areas of poor drainage (between construction k-rails, low lying areas)
- Bridges, elevated ramps, overpasses, etc. 

## Black Ice Driving Tips

First and foremost…stay calm. You need a level head in order to override the impulse to aggressively regain control.

### *How to Slow Down*

- Avoid the temptation to slam on your brakes (braking hard will likely send you into a skid)
- Let off the gas to stop acceleration
- If you can safely do so, downshift into a lower gear

### *How to Steer*

- Keep the steering wheel as straight as possible
- Avoid drastic wheel turns
- If your back end pulls to the right, gently adjust wheel to the right
- If your back end pulls to the left, gently adjust wheel to the left
- If you can, gently steer toward areas with better traction (ie, areas with some snow buildup, gently shoulders with rougher surfaces, etc.)

### *Pro Tip!*

Keeping a bag of granular ice melt in your vehicle can help you fight ice in parking lots and spaces. Try [Nature’s Blend](https://www.amazon.com/REDMOND-Ice-Slicer-All-Natural-Granular/dp/B01MZBRQBS/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=vYqjb&pf_rd_p=29505bbf-38bd-47ef-8224-a5dd0cda2bae&pf_rd_r=BZNA5QG9ADJPN3NXPYSR&pd_rd_r=4b82678a-c977-4a0c-b5fa-58033c466240&pd_rd_wg=8xljx&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m&th=1) for a high powered, environmentally friendly ice melt to get you back on the road. 

Want some more helpful winter driving tips from [Ice Slicer®](https://iceslicer.com/performance)? Click to get our handy [Winter Road Guide](https://f.hubspotusercontent40.net/hubfs/5830144/Ice%20Slicer%20Images/Resources/Winter%20Road%20Guide.pdf).

© 2024 Redmond Minerals Inc.

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