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COLUMBIA, S.C.– The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is urging drivers to be careful on the roads this evening and into the night, as temperatures for much of the state are expected to drop below freezing past nightfall and the wind chill factor is expected to dip into single digits.  Water freezing on the roadways may create conditions for black ice.  Motorists should be careful on all roadways, but especially vigilant on secondary roads, overpasses and bridges.

Black ice causes winter driving accidents because it has the appearance of a wet roadway, but it is actually a thin sheet of ice.

Drivers can increase safety by observing the following tips:

• Be aware that black ice is almost invisible.
• Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses, tunnels and on secondary roads in the morning and late evening.
• Never brake while driving on ice. Applying pressure to your brakes while on ice will cause a vehicle to skid. Brake only during your approach.
• Keep your distance. The distance needed to stop on ice is twice as long as under normal driving circumstances. Keep at least a three-car distance from the vehicle directly in front of you.