What should you do when you hit black ice on the road?

Black ice is a thin sheet of clear ice on the road. Because it is transparent, you can see the black color of the road beneath it, hence the name “black ice.”

During winter in New Zealand, especially on the South Island,  the roads are often foggy, with light rain and melted snow. When the temperature drops to freezing, moisture from the ground forms a thin, transparent ice layer that is hard to see. This ice is highly slippery and can cause vehicles to lose grip and go out of control. The ice melts when the sun rises and temperatures increase, but it can reform overnight when temperatures drop again.

What can you do about black ice?

• Always check the weather and road conditions before starting your journey.