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Tonya Papanikolas reportingSlush and slick roads caused many of Wednesday's traffic problems, but now wet roads have frozen, so black ice is also a factor.
Because cold air passes underneath bridges, they're an easy target for black ice. Unfortunately, by the time you recognize black ice, it's usually too late.
But a company that uses driving simulators gave us some helpful advice.
Driving during a storm can often be a big headache.
This driver is safe behind the steering wheel of a simulator. But since the machine reacts exactly like your car, it's a great tool for learning to avoid dangerous situations on the road. Situations like black ice.
Ray Greer, L3 Communications: "It really is an invisible coating over the road."
Invisible or not, Ray Greer says drivers can learn to recognize black ice conditions.
Ray Greer: "No spray coming off any of the cars in front of you, you know that temperature is low, it's at the freezing point."
Bridges, overpasses and roads near a steep embankment accumulate ice easily. But highways aren't immune. If you're suddenly caught by surprise, it's easy to spin out of control.
You've heard the advice... drive slowly. But how important is it?
On the simulator, a driver going very slow tries to swerve for an accident on the shoulder, and then hits black ice.
"CRASH!"
Greer says one thing you never want to do is get behind a large truck and follow too closely.
Ray Greer, L3 Communications: "One, you can't see what's up ahead of you. Two, if they stop abruptly, you got a big obstacle to run into."
Or the cars behind can run into you.
"And that's a pile-up"
Greer says people with four-wheel drive usually think they're safe going a little faster on the roads. But it's not true. Four-wheel drive may help you go faster, it doesn't help you stop faster.
