Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on February 8, 2016
TDOT Prepares Nashville Roads for Third Round of Winter Weather
Snow and ice has already hit the Middle Tennessee area twice this winter, and a third round of winter storms may be moving into the area Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
According to a report by wkrn.com, road crews in Nashville began pre-treating high priority roads in the city on Sunday afternoon, and crews continued working on Monday by spreading a brine pretreatment solution on roads to help reduce the impact caused by any snow or ice accumulation.
Despite the two previous winter storms, the Nashville Metro Public Works department still has more than 8,000 tons of salt on hand that’s stored at three separate locations in Davidson County. The salt reserves, in addition to 30 pieces of winter weather equipment, are all crucial to keeping roads throughout the mid-state area clear for commuters.
When the threat of inclement weather looms, road crews first work to clear main roadways in the central business district as well as roads that lead to hospitals and emergency routes. After the main road have been treated, they focus their attention on secondary roads.
4 Facts to Know about Black Ice
Of all the dangers associated with winter weather and freezing temperatures, none pose more risks to drivers and their passengers than black ice. This term refers to a thin coating of ice that forms on hard surfaces like roads and is transparent, giving it a black appearance due to the roadway being visible underneath. Because of its thinness and its transparency, black ice can be difficult for drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians to see, making it extremely dangerous when it forms in large patches on roadways or sidewalks.
If you’re planning on driving during this next round of winter weather, here are four facts you should know about black ice:
Although black ice can form anywhere on roadways, it tends to first form on bridges and overpasses due air circulating both above and below the road itself. When that happens, the temperature of the pavement drops more rapidly than in other areas. Many bridges in Middle Tennessee have warning signs that indicate the dangers of ice accumulation.
Thick accumulations of ice are often easily visible due to their characteristic light and reflective appearance, but black ice often appears to be nothing more than wet pavement. That makes it exceptionally dangerous, as it can form before larger patches of ice appear elsewhere and catch drivers and pedestrians off guard.
The temperature outside doesn’t have to be 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below for black ice to be a hazard. In many cases, the air suddenly warming can still lead the roadway at temperatures below freezing, and black ice can remain on the pavement for hours or even days after temperatures rise to above 32 degrees.
Although salt is useful for improving traction during normal winter weather, it can lose its effectiveness once temperatures go well below freezing. Once the ambient temperatures reaches 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, black ice can even form due to the accumulation of car exhaust condensing on the road surface.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys know that black ice is one of the most extreme dangers that all commuters, whether they’re drivers, bicyclists, motorcyclists, or pedestrians, face during winter weather. Being aware of the four facts listed above and taking a cautious approach on your daily commute can help you avoid some of the risk factors associated with black ice.
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident during winter weather that was caused by a negligent driver, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repair costs, and other accident-related expenses. To find out how our legal team can fight for your rights after your accident, contact us today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or completing a free online consultation form.
