Black Ice Question.?

Question

I am 16 years old and I was just in a car accident involving black ice and i hit a telephone poll. For future reference, what should I do to avoid hitting the pole? I hit the breaks (from what people tell me thats a reaction a lot of people make) but the people in the ambulance told me that's one of the worst thing you could do. So does anyone know what to do if I slip on black ice again?

Answer 1

Well, it really depends on what kind of car you have. And yes, hitting the brakes it the worst thing you can do. If you have a front wheel drive vehicle, the best thing to do really is to turn the wheel very slightly away from the pole and slam the gas, since the front wheels are pulling the car, it will pull it in that direction. Worst comes to worst, the back end will fish tail a little and end up with the back slightly banged up, but it is alot better then slamming into it head on. Good luck and drive safe!!

Answer 2

If you suspect that you are on ice, you pump your brakes, never spike them because that will cause you to totally loose control. Prepare to stop at least two or three times the distance it normally takes. when driving in the winter, watch the other drivers, especially the truckers, if they are driving slower than normal you know there has to be a good reason and you should be doing the same. A couple of tips. Black ice is so called because you often cannot detect it. It the road appears slightly glossy and the temperature is below freezing you probably have ice on he road. Again look at the other vehicles if the road has a sheen to it and passing cars are throwing up a spray (you'll have to really look for this, try it when one of your parents is driving) from behind their tires, the road is just wet, it the road is glossy and passing cars are not throwing anything up behind the tires, you are on ice. This is particularly useful when you are driving during the day when everything has been melting, and on into the evening when it all starts to freeze again. The absolute best advice I ever got for driving on ice was to drive as if you had no brakes at all.

Answer 3

Basicly, MOST of these people are right, but what your main concern HAS to be has nothing to do with thinking about what to do, knowing what to do is simple, the biggest cause of these things not being done is panicing. If you feel yourself start to slide:

1)Do NOT panic, right now you are still fine and if you keep your cool, you will stay that way.

2) let your foot off the gas, if you keep hitting the gas, you will keep yout tires from being able to regain traction.

3) DO NOT brake, Slowly, and VERY gently steer slightly int he direction you need to to remain staright.

4) Believe it or not, right now, the side of the road is your goal.

5) once you see the wheels about to hit the shoulder, do what you can to ease it on to the shoulder. First your right 2 tires...the SLOWLY ease over and let your left 2 tires leave the ashpault.

6) Once ALL of your tires have found gravel, rought shoulder, ect. you should be a decent bit slower than you were, begin to apply the brakes and let off if you begin to slip again.

7) Cost to stop. Congratualtions, you stayed calm and stayed alive.

If you find you are going to hit something, A pole, sign, anything like that, still DO NOT panic. Try to maintain controll of your vehicle as long as you can. Once you are ABSOLUTELY POSSITIVE you are going to impact and there is NO WAY to stop it AT ALL, just before impact take your hands off the wheel, and cross them in front of your upper chest and face, this will keep you from ending up with a broken wrist from trying to keep your hands on the wheel. I beg you, do not do this if there is a chance you can maintain control, this is ONLY a worst case scinerio action. Hope this Helps, and Good luck.

Answer 4

NEVER BRAKE ON ICE! Unless you have Anti-lock brakes, your wheels will simply start sliding and you will have no stopping power. Try to steer away from the obstacle gently, as turning to sharply will also cause your wheels to slide. Also, braking very gently is less likely to send you sliding. If you live in an area which gets ice alot, sell your car and get one with all-wheel drive or full time 4wd. This will give you a huge advantage on ice, as all four of your wheels will be subject to engine braking. Also make sure your tires have good tread.

Answer 5

They're right, hitting the brakes is bad and so is pressing the gas. Take your foot off the gas pedal and hold the steering straight. If you begin to slide, turn in the direction the back end is going but only slightly. It won't take much turning the wheel to get it back in line. If you over do it the back end will quickly swing too far in the opposite direction and you'll slide off the road.

Glad you're ok.

Answer 6

As soon as you feel a wheel start to slip, take your foot off the gas, DO NOT APPLY THE BRAKES, and push in the clutch if your car has a manual transmission. Coast through the patch of black ice and proceed.

Answer 7

FRONT WHEEL DRIVE: The biggest problem facing most winter drivers is skidding on slick, icy or snow covered roads. It is possible to steer out of a skid! Once you feel your car begin to skid, slowly remove your foot from the accelerator, until you feel your wheels regain traction control. (Do not attempt to brake!) As your vehicle's tires grab the road, slowly turn the steering wheel in the direction you want your front wheels to go.

REAR WHEEL DRIVE: When you begin to spin, remove your foot from the gas pedal. Slowly steer in the direction you want the car to go. If you are still skidding out of control, counter-steer until your vehicle is pointing in the right direction. Never apply steady pressure to the brakes

Answer 8

I drive a truck for a living and what we have always been told and what has worked for me is to just let of the gas and coast thru . Try not to over correct by steering to hard. Alot of times when the front tire gets on the gravel sholder it will straighten out.

Answer 9

Black Ice. frequently, the driving force can't see the black ice and is plenty extra possibly to slipp it. as properly, my college by no ability closes while snow or slush is on the floor. it always in basic terms closes while there is black ice on the floor.

Answer 10

I'm a professional truck driver and a have also lived up in Wisconsin for several years. I fully agree with the answer that romettifamily gave you. Listen to her. She really knows what she's talking about.