Crazy car sliding in Dallas ice storm on overpass

If you live in a place with regular winter (not Texas), you know already that overpasses are the worst place to create black ice.

BRIDGES FREEZE BEFORE ROADS..EXPOSED ON BOTH SIDES. UH,CAPMAN.

Overpasses are the worst places to drive when it's freezing. Doesn't take much to turn it into ice roads.

People here in North Texas think you can still go flying down the road on ice. Even on the overpasses.

The overpass freezes first because of the air underneath.

Always be careful on wet and cold days because you might think you're good until you hit the frozen bridge.

Salt?

THIS

It’s called Black Ice for a reason!! You never see it there . Have driven on it for 38 yrs in Ohio.
It’s called “ You slow your butt down to 10 mph when driving on ice!!”

I have seen warning signs on overpasses. "Road Freezes on Bridge" type signs.

Explanation:

Most bridges are built using metal, which is a great heat conductor. Heat within the bridge will quickly rise to the surface and freeze when it meets the frigid air above and below the structure.

[link to www.foxweather.com (secure)]

[link to science.howstuffworks.com (secure)]

Last Edited by nutmeg on 02/02/2023 09:45 AM

You are floating on a sheet of wet Ics

Don’t accelerate, hit the brakes, turn,

Any abrupt change of motion will create

An equal and opposite reaction

Lived in Big D back in the 80's. We had a big ice storm come through. We sat on the side of the road by a large overpass for about 45 minutes watching cars crash into the wall slide to the other end and disappear down a steep grass embankment.


The first was a Beamer, he passed us on approach and looked like a pinball going through so we stopped just short of the overpass to see him just disapear at the end.

When we left there was prolly 15-20 cars at the bottom in a big pile of smoldering ruin.

They treat major freeways here in Texas. Some other roads may get sand.

Why didn't they salt it down?

You can tell people here in Texas this, but they won't listen. Never understood after living here almost 50 years why they do not slow down on ice.

Too difficult and mysterious.

No one remembers where to get any.

Besides, salting roads is so old-fashioned, they would be embarrassed to be seen salting.

They only treat major freeways for ice.

your brakes are your worst enemy in situations like this .

"Newton's first law states that every object
will remain at rest or in uniform motion
in a straight line unless compelled to change
its state by the action of an external force."

So, DO NOT hit the gas, or the brake,
or the steering wheel if possible.

If the bridge is curved, go lightly on
the steering wheel, but NEVER hit the brakes
or the gas, unless you are certain of a
collision, then, say one Hail Mary, and
Three Our Fathers.

I learned to drive on ice and snow in an empty parking lot. You get to feel how your car reacts going sideways and find ways to correct it. Plus it is fun!

A lot of Texas is a 3rd world shithole. Cannot keep the roads clear.

It should be bridges 1st.

Lmao i saw that yesterday thinking there doing dam good job or just plain lucky not slamming into each other

Texas isn't going to invest in equipment for ice/snow events that happen a few days out of the year.

Bridges freeze first

Why I'm not sure

Maybe the wind

It should. I'm surprised they didn't at least sand that overpass.

Bad for the environment
Bad for the bridges
Bad for the automobiles

Used extensively here NYS

I guess sand is cheaper than salt. Does it work better?