Black ice is defined as

• A. Thin sheets of invisible ice
• B. White frost patches on pavement
• C. Visible patches of ice
• D. Wet patches on the road

Answer: (A)

Black ice is a dangerous, nearly invisible layer of ice on the road that forms when a thin sheet of ice covers the surface and blends with the pavement color. It looks like wet pavement, not obvious ice, which is why it’s so easy to miss until you’re already on it. The reason this is the best description is that the ice is transparent, so the road beneath shows through, giving the appearance of moisture rather than ice. The other descriptions describe frost patches or clearly visible ice, or simply wet patches, none of which capture the slick, see-through nature of black ice. When you’re near freezing temperatures, especially on bridges, overpasses, or shaded areas, slow down gradually, avoid abrupt braking or steering, and maintain extra following distance to give yourself time to react if you encounter it.