Freezing rain is a phenomenon that occurs due to the presence of warmer air (temperatures above 0 °C) above a cushion of colder air (temperatures below 0 °C) which is at ground level. The precipitation that leaves in the form of a snowflake melts into the warm layer and as it descends and reaches the ground, it freezes on the surfaces it encounters: trees, asphalt, power lines, cars. The result in the streets is black ice, which is very dangerous as it is invisible and very slippery.
It is therefore necessary to be very careful when walking on the crystallised raindrops and even more so behind the wheel, where the dangers multiply and the utmost caution must be exercised.
Remember
If you are forced to take the car, find out through the channels available to you about the risk of freezing rain on your route. If this is real, seriously consider not driving. Were that not possible:
- Avoid abrupt manoeuvres and sudden swerves.
- Maintain a low speed, using low gears to avoid braking as much as possible.
- Keep a much greater distance from vehicles in front of you than when driving on a dry road.