Black ice or just wet?

If there's spray coming up off of other vehicles, it's a good indication you're not on black ice. That being said, conditions may be right for it to form on overpasses and bridges. Use common sense, look ahead and others around you, maintain a safe operating distance that's more than usual for normal, dry conditions.

 

In my limited experience, icy roads have a dull shine to them.
They also appear patchy or streaky in sections.

Wet roads are fairly consistent.
But they can change VERY quickly.

Look at the weather around you, is it cold or windy, or both? Is it raining? Snowing?
These all affect how the roads behave.
As well as what you should be doing to ensure your safety and that of your equipment and your load.

If you have spray coming off your tires, you have wet roads.
If you don't have spray, park the truck until your confident that it can be moved safely.

 

Easiest way to tell....Look at the ribbon ahead....Oh wait change that....Look in the ditches on either side of the ribbon....You see any FedEx "Single-Props" "Parked"?.....

There's Black Ice on the ribbon.....






Sorry...I had to do that.....

 

If your in Wyoming it's not wet. It's likely ice.

 

Most trucks have a outside temp dash readout. If not, get an add-on one, they're cheap. Or ask other truckers on cb what the temp is. Huge thing is to always look to see if spray is coming off my tires and/or other vehicle's tires. If not, then it's about to get icey, as in dicey. Slow down then. If it's in 20's, then more than likely black ice is out there, unless road crews are spraying that nasty stuff on roads. Again, look for spray off tires to see if it's working. Also you can try and feel if you get tire spin by giving the trk a little 'gas pedal'. When in doubt, slow down or get off road. No point in driving 25-35mph unless u can't pull over somewhere.

 

Also check your mirrors to see if ice is forming on or around them. This will normally occur before it begins showing up on your windshield if your cab is heated up and the interior is warm. If you do hit a patch and feel the tractor get loose, don't panic. Don't accelerate, hit the brakes or steer left or right. Just hold it steady and straight.

 

Spray is a big deal, when the spray goes away watch out.
Look at car and truck antennas if they are whipping excessively they are coated with ice. Look at your mirror brackets for a coating of ice on them both fender mirrors and west coast mirrors.

 

Also engage the clutch to cut power to the drives.......

 

Also, just to add.
Look at your ATLAS, know where the rest stations are or the nearest safe spot to stop, Truck Stops, etc.....