The Chatham County Fire Department issued a warning via social media on the potential dangers of black ice on bridges and elevated roadways following anticipated rainfall this Sunday. According to the department, rapidly dropping temperatures could lead to hazardous driving conditions early Monday morning. The post, shared on their official Facebook page, cautioned residents to exercise careful driving to ensure their safety.
In the post, Chatham County Fire Department outlined several safety tips for motorists. Drivers are advised to maintain at least a five-second following distance from the vehicle in front, a necessity since vehicles require twice as long to stop on black ice. "Never hit the brakes on ice to avoid skidding. Instead, hold your steering wheel steady," warned the department's post. Motorists should be particularly careful during the early morning hours when the air temperature can rise faster than that at the pavement, elevating the risk of encountering black ice.
The advisory also included special cautions for driving over bridges and overpasses, which typically freeze before other parts of the road. The fire department stressed the importance of not overcorrecting the steering if drivers feel their car sliding. In a bid to spread the message to a broad audience, the social media post concluded with the hashtag #chathamcountyfire, thereby leveraging the platform's reach for heightened community awareness.
