How can you tell if the road is icy?

Identifying icy road conditions is critical for safe driving. The presence of glossy or shiny patches on the road surface is a clear indicator of ice. When water freezes on the surface, it creates a reflective quality that makes it look smoother and shinier than the surrounding areas. This visual cue is important because it alerts drivers to the potential danger of sliding or losing control.

While checking the weather report can provide useful information about temperatures and conditions that might lead to ice, it does not give a real-time assessment of the road itself. Observing other vehicles can provide some insight into road conditions, as drivers might react cautiously to icy patches, but this can vary widely based on the vehicle's design, tires, and individual driving styles. Feeling the temperature of the road is not practical and can be misleading, as the road surface temperature can differ from the air temperature, especially in shaded areas or in the presence of sun.

Recognizing those shiny patches allows drivers to take caution or adjust their speed proactively, enhancing safety on potentially hazardous roads.