Driving tips from a teen learning to drive
With the cold temperatures in full swing, dangerous road hazards are becoming an increasing risk. One problem that is swiftly arriving is black ice. Black ice is a thin coating of clear ice that is usually seen on roads or pavements. It’s been an issue lately because when driving, it appears as if the road is simply wet, while in reality it’s icy.
Since black ice can be hard to detect, the best way to deal with it is to know what to do if you find your car slipping and sliding. The first thing you want to make sure you do is stay calm. Panicking doesn’t help anything and will just make things worse. The second thing is to not hit the brake pedal. This is because slamming on the brake will cause your car to skid, and won’t help the situation. Also, keep your steering wheel straight and only make slight turns if you feel the back of your car drifting. The best way to get over a patch of black ice is essentially to do as little as possible. If you need to slow down, slowly lift your foot off of the accelerator while keeping your steering wheel straight.
Be extra cautious on bridges and overpasses because the pavement freezes faster due to the fact that the air can cool it from above and below. This means that it’s more likely that you will see black ice on bridges and overpasses than a normal road. To all the drivers out there, be safe and always be on the lookout for black ice!
Kili is a sophomore at Mountainside High School. She loves singing, playing piano and ukulele, and also running track and field.
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