Latest news with #BlackIce
RNZ News
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
How to drive safely in icy, wintry conditions
Photo: 123RF With the country marking Road Safety Week, road users are advised to take extra care when driving on icy roads in wintry conditions. In July 2024, two tour buses travelling along State Highway 8 between Tekapo and Twizel in the South Island overturned in treacherous conditions within a few hundred metres of each other. Fifteen people were rushed to hospital , with two seriously injured. Locals blamed a winter phenomenon known as "black ice" for the crashes. And yet black ice is far from the only thing to be mindful of when driving in difficult conditions. What follows is a quick reminder of a few things to pay extra attention to when driving in winter months. Black ice lies on a road alongside the site of a bus crash in July 2024. Photo: Supplied / Grace Duggin According to the latest data compiled by ACC , total road accident-related compensation claims reached nearly $750 million in 2024, with more than 50 percent involving driving accidents. Meanwhile, latest data compiled by the New Zealand Transport Association shows 292 people died in 250 fatal crashes recorded nationwide in 2024. While the total death toll is a slight improvement on the figures recorded in 2023, police say there is always room to reduce the number of casualties on the road each year. Many accidents in winter are caused by poor visibility after ice forms on windscreens in low temperatures. Once ice has formed on your windscreen before you start driving, do not try to remove it with your window wipers. This not only risks damaging the rubber on the blades, but it can also worsen visibility, as scraping the ice may blur your view. Instead, use an ice scraper or a hard plastic card like a credit card to remove the ice before starting the engine. If the engine has already been running for a while and the internal temperature of the vehicle is close to normal, drivers are advised to turn on the windshield's defrost function and let warm air melt the ice before then using wipers to clear the view. It's worth noting that there are quicker but riskier methods that experts say should be avoided. It's recommended that drivers refrain from pouring hot water onto a windscreen to remove ice. If the water is too hot - making the windscreen's temperature difference with the outside air temperature too great - the glass can crack. In certain areas of New Zealand, sudden patches of dense fog can appear in colder months. Drivers are first advised to turn on their fog lights, which are designed to penetrate thick clouds that form in such conditions. Drivers of vehicles without fog lights should use their headlights on a low beam setting that is focused on the road immediately ahead. In foggy weather, the moisture in the air scatters headlights on a high beam setting, which can impair visibility rather than improve it. Additionally, drivers should slow down when driving in poor visibility, increasing their following distances and avoiding frequent lane changes. Black ice lies on a road alongside the site of a bus crash in July 2024. Photo: Supplied / Grace Duggin Black ice isn't black - it's a transparent layer of ice that typically forms on a road after light rain or fog at zero degrees. Because the transparent nature of the ice makes the road surface appear visible, drivers can mistakenly think road conditions are safer than they are. Vehicles traveling on such surfaces often lose tire traction when changing direction, causing drivers to lose control of the vehicle. Mark Revill-Johnson, chair of the nonprofit New Zealand Institute of Driver Educators, told Morning Report after the bus crashes in July 2024 that drivers could lose control of vehicles travelling at just 10 kilometres per hour, especially in foggy conditions. "You should always be able to stop in the amount of road you can see and be able to do that on the correct side of the road," he said. "So, if there's fog around, you can't 'out-drive' your view because you're not going to see stuff that matters." AA recommends drivers should maintain a following distance that is 10 times greater than usual when driving on icy or snowy roads. If you unintentionally hit a stretch of road with black ice, it's important to remain calm. In such situations, AA advises drivers to refrain from trying to change direction suddenly. Instead, continue travelling in the same direction, take your foot off the accelerator and avoid slamming on the brakes. Braking hard can throw the vehicle off balance and make it harder to regain control. For manual transmission vehicles, downshifting can help to reduce speed, if necessary, but any sudden movements that may destabilize the vehicle should be avoided. Compared to regular tyres, softer snow tyres offer better grip and improved driving safety in icy or snowy road conditions. However, NZTA says snow tyres are not needed in most parts of New Zealand . Snow tyres are only recommended for a very small number of people living in the southern regions of the South Island or those who frequently drive in alpine environments. NZTA says all-season tyres are a better choice for most people. Additionally, NZTA says that snow tyres should not be mixed with other types of tyres. Anyone driving in extreme wintry conditions on unpaved mountainous roads should consider wrapping snow chains around tyres to improve traction. Fans of skiing and other winter sports enthusiasts sometimes need chains in case of heavy snowfalls while ascending and descending mountains. NZTA enforces snow chain regulations on specific alpine roads, particularly in the South Island. For example, Arthur's Pass and Lindis Pass often have mandatory chain requirements when snow or ice is present. If you are driving in unfamiliar areas, NZTA recommends drivers to use its Journey Planner tool app , which offers real-time road condition updates and travel advisories to help them plan a safe trip.
Economic Times
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 20: What may happen in upcoming episode? Check out release date, time, what to expect and how to watch
Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 20 has been delayed due to a brief network hiatus affecting all One Chicago shows. The new air date is May 7, 2025, on NBC. The episode, titled Black Ice, will feature a major case involving sex trafficking and developments in key character relationships. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What to Expect from Episode 20 Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads How to Watch FAQs Chicago PD fans will have to wait a little longer for Season 12 Episode 20. The show has been delayed for a week. NBC has paused all One Chicago series, including Chicago Med and Fire. The new air date for the episode is May 7, 2025, at 10/ has delayed the airing of new episodes for all its One Chicago series. This includes Chicago PD, Chicago Med and Chicago Fire. The reason for the break has not been announced. This kind of delay has happened with other network shows recently. In many cases, the networks do not provide a specific past delays were caused by important broadcasts or interviews. For example, The Rookie was postponed for a presidential interview. But in this case, the reason for the delay is unknown. The break is only for one week, and regular scheduling will return after delayed episode is titled Black Ice. The official synopsis says Ruzek witnesses a tragic accident on an icy bridge. This event leads the Intelligence Unit into a case involving sex team will discover an abandoned warehouse connected to the trafficking operation. Adam and Burgess will enter the site to search for episode also continues the storyline between Cook and Torres. Their relationship has faced challenges this season. Torres placed Cook in danger, causing tension between them. Actor Toya Turner has said that the coming episodes will show efforts to rebuild trust. Viewers will see more emotional scenes between the two. Their dynamic may shift again in the final episodes of the are two main ways to watch Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 20 . Viewers can watch it live on NBC when it airs on May 7, subscribers can use their login credentials to access or the NBC app for a live stream. The episode will also be available to stream on Peacock the next day. Previous episodes are already available on the paused all One Chicago shows for one week without explanation. The new air date is May 7, can watch it live on NBC or stream it on Peacock the day after it airs.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Officials continue to work on road conditions in winter storm
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) – For the second week in a row, it's snowing in the commonwealth. This one is a lot lighter and fluffier, which means roads aren't getting too slick or messy. Still, any snow or ice has the potential to create problems, so officials continue to urge anyone who doesn't have to drive, to just stay home. 'What that does is that allows the VDOT and emergency crews to do the work they need to do clear crashes and to get the roads clear,' Matthew Demlein, the public relations coordinator for Virginia State Police (VSP), said. How to detect Black Ice and stay safe on roads The Lynchburg area is getting a bit more than the Roanoke and New River Valleys, and crews have been out since the morning hours, clearing up roadways and staying ahead of the mess. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) said that preparation made a big difference. 'We laid down a brine on our primary and major secondary (roads), and that helps with the plows,' Len Stevens, the communications manager for VDOT's Lynchburg District, said. 'It warms up the road with the calcium chloride there, and it prevents the snow from really sticking to the road and melts a little bit of that base layer.' With more than a month still to go in winter, we've already seen a handful of winter storms eat up a chunk of VDOT's resources. Each district has a set budget going into the winter season. PHOTOS: Winter weather submissions from around SW Virginia Stevens said that's the least of his concerns right now. 'When the snow falls and the ice falls, we'll push it, so our crews will respond no matter what,' he said. 'If we have to tap into some other emergency fund, that would have to be a decision made in Richmond, but our orders are to get the roads cleared as quickly as possible.' Stevens said people's safety continues to be VDOT's top priority. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Royal Mail celebrating rockers AC/DC with set of special stamps
New stamps are being issued to mark the 50th anniversary of AC/DC's groundbreaking debut album, High Voltage. Royal Mail said the set of eight stamps captures some of the band's dynamic live performances over the last 50 years in venues across the world. A further four stamps presented in a miniature sheet feature the covers of four iconic AC/DC studio albums: High Voltage – AC/DC's debut album; Highway to Hell - their sixth studio album released in 1979; Back in Black – the biggest-selling rock album of all time, and Power Up – AC/DC's return in 2020. The stamps in the miniature sheet are set against a striking design taken from their album Black Ice. READ MORE: AC/DC announce first Scottish show in 10 years Childhood home of AC/DC brothers 'accidentally' demolished Councillor bids for permanent AC/DC memorial in Glasgow Formed in 1973, AC/DC have spent more than 50 years perfecting the art of stripping rock music back to its core elements. Led by the twin-guitar attack of Glasgow-born brothers, Malcolm and Angus Young, and with two of the greatest frontmen in history - Bon Scott (1974-1980) and subsequently Brian Johnson (1980 to present) - in their ranks, the band is responsible for the biggest-selling rock album of all time, 1980's Back in Black - a record that defined the sound of hard rock for a long time to come. Outside of the studio, AC/DC command a devoted following drawn to the band's electrifying live shows complete with outsized props and stadium-ready anthems. David Gold, Royal Mail's director of external affairs and policy, said: 'AC/DC is one of the most successful rock bands in the world. Over the past half-century, they have recorded some of the best-known rock anthems and have given us Back In Black – the biggest-selling rock album of all time. AC/DC will return to Scotland in August (Image: Christie Goodwin) 'These stamps capture a sample of their electrifying live performances, along with some of their most iconic album covers, and celebrate their significant contribution to the world of rock music.' AC/DC become the eighth music band to feature in a dedicated Royal Mail stamp issue, following on from The Beatles in 2007, Pink Floyd in 2016, Queen in 2020, The Rolling Stones in 2022, Iron Maiden in 2023, Spice Girls in 2024, and The Who in 2024. The stamps go on general sale from February 18. The release of the stamps comes days after AC/DC announced they will perform in Edinburgh this year as part of a European tour. The band will play 11 dates across the continent before concluding the tour with a final show at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium on August 21. It will be the first time the group have performed in Scotland in 10 years. The Edinburgh date comes the same month that Oasis are set to perform at Murrayfield over three nights. The stamps and a range of collectible products are available to pre-order from today (February 6) at and by telephone on 03457 641641
