If you own a motorcycle, then you may not want to keep it stowed away for the entire winter. Black ice is one of the most dangerous winter-weather hazards on the road though. You should learn how to better identify black ice as well as when and where it’s most likely to develop if you want to be safe out on the road.
Black ice is most apt to appear on the roadway when there’s water that’s puddled and it’s 32 degrees or less outside. One of the reasons that it’s hard to identify is because it’s a layer of ice that’s so transparent and thin that it appears as the same color as the asphalt, concrete or any road surface below it.
Individuals should be extra cautious when driving into higher elevations as these areas tend to experience lower temperatures and get significantly more snow than other areas do. All of these factors may lead ice to appear.
You should also be careful when driving over overpasses or bridges. They both tend to develop black ice because the wind and cold air reach them from both above and below. This same logic applies to why you should be careful when traveling around shaded areas. Ice melts much more slowly along with these places, especially if the temperatures seldom rise above freezing.
When many individuals think about puddling on a roadway, they seldom think about how exhaust from vehicles, melted snow, fog and other substances can cause enough of a water buildup for ice to form. Traffic congestion can make it hard for you to see what lies in front. You may only notice it once you come upon it. This can make for very unsafe driving conditions.
One of the worst things that can happen to you as a motorcyclist is for you to be struck by a motorist traveling at a high rate of speed. If the motorist who strikes you is both speeding and hits a patch of ice, then it’s likely that they’ll cause even more catastrophic damage than they typically would. A motorcycle accidents attorney can help you file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent motorist who caused you harm if you’ve been seriously hurt.