The recent spate of frosty weather has created problems for motorists on our roads.
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Ice build-up on roads (often referred to as black ice) has and will continue to cause incidents and near misses to motorists and other road users.
People's safety and well being is the number one priority for all emergency services and councils in our area and while the next couple of days will see temperatures rise, motorists are urged to be cautious as we move into winter and to take special care between the hours of sunset and sunrise when temperatures may dip below freezing.
Black ice is slippery, hard to spot and potentially deadly as it can blend with its surroundings.
Check your cars external thermometer reading while driving.
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While not always accurate for road temperature, it can help to warn of the potential for black ice especially following rain on shaded and tree covered roads.
Black ice is hard to spot but typically appears as dark and glossy patches on the road surface.
A basic rule for driving when black ice is present is to stay calm and let the vehicle pass over it before applying your brakes.
Five safety tips for driving on black ice:
- Keep a five second interval between vehicles in front because it takes twice as long to stop on ice
- Never hit the brakes on ice to avoid skidding. Instead, hold your steering wheel steady and let your vehicle pass over it first
- Be vigilant in the early morning when air temperature rises faster than the road and pavement temperature
- Don't overcorrect your steering if you feel your car sliding
- Always drive to weather conditions and be cautious when you see frost in the surrounding area
Chief Inspector J Horn
Hume Police District
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