Ice, black ice, fog, and wildlife

Black ice is clear ice that can look like wet or shiny pavement. Alberta and AMA guidance: if the road looks shiny and black instead of grey-white, slow down gently. Intersections often ice up from braking and exhaust. Bridges and overpasses freeze sooner.

Freezing rain can be so dangerous that waiting is safer than driving.

Fog / ice fog: Use low beams or fog lights if equipped — not high beams.

Wildlife: Rural roads expose you to animals on the right-of-way, especially at dawn and dusk. Slow down in posted wildlife zones and scan the ditches. A collision with a large animal is a serious rural risk.

If you start to skid (overview only): Alberta.ca describes taking your foot off the brake, steering where you want to go, then braking firmly and smoothly when grip returns. Practise only in safe, legal training settings — not on busy highways for the first time.

When visibility drops so you cannot see safely, pull fully off the road if you can do so safely, and wait.