The cold wave and ice have gripped a large part of the country, turning streets and sidewalks into a real winter trap. Uncleared pedestrian zones in the capital have become a serious test for people who walk, and icy surfaces have led to dozens of incidents and injuries.
In just 24 hours, more than 140 people sought medical help in the country's largest emergency hospital - "Pirogov", after falls on ice and icy surfaces. Doctors report a serious increase in cases of sprains, fractures and other injuries as a result of the ice.
According to forecasts, temperatures will drop further in the coming days and will remain below zero even during the day. At the same time, the air humidity remains relatively high, which creates conditions for the formation of the so-called "black ice" - an almost invisible layer of ice on the road surface, which is extremely dangerous for drivers.
This type of ice is a serious threat because at first glance the road looks dry or just wet, but in fact it is covered with a thin, smooth ice. It is the combination of low temperatures and high humidity that makes the situation on the roads even more risky in the early morning and late evening hours.
In a report from the road, racer Rosen Daskalov describes the conditions as follows: "The fog here is not the thickest I have seen, but it is still quite dense and heavy. The temperature is low, it is now around zero. The road is starting to get wet from the fog and this creates an ideal prerequisite for the formation of ice. It is no coincidence that the road services are constantly moving back and forth and scattering salt."
Drivers of trucks and other heavy vehicles know from experience when to expect "black ice". This phenomenon is almost inevitable when combined with high humidity and a sharp drop in temperatures. According to Rosen Daskalov, in January you can encounter such invisible ice at any time of the day.
Rosen Daskalov, a racer, also points out that the danger is not only in the dark part of the day: "Even during the day, there are sections where the asphalt looks completely normal, and suddenly it turns out that there is ice there." For this reason, drivers should not be reassured even when the road visually looks trouble-free.
In the coming days, bends in shady, shaded places, as well as sections near water bodies, which further increase the humidity of the air, will be especially risky. It is there that local areas with "black ice" are most often formed, which are difficult to notice in advance.
According to Daskalov, it is constant vigilance that is the key to safer driving in such conditions: "That's it - we drive normally, the asphalt is the same color as it should normally look. It may flash slightly in the headlights. But in such a winter environment, we must constantly be afraid of the road. Because when you're scared, your body can react intuitively faster and cope with such a situation."
Meteorologists warn that the cold will intensify over the weekend, new snowfall and strong winds are expected, and negative daytime temperatures will keep the ice on the roads. The forecast is for short periods of temporary warming, followed by an even more serious cold snap.
The basic rule for drivers is to anticipate the possibility of "black ice" and maintain moderate speed, even when the road looks dry. In such an environment, sudden acceleration and maneuvering increase the risk of losing control of the car.
In one of the filmed moments, a car is seen moving at a higher than recommended speed. "In some places the road can be very slippery. Here's that daredevil in front. He just whizzed past me, but something suggests that things are not very good," Daskalov comments.
If you encounter "black ice", the expert advises not to make any sudden movements, and the only action should be the gradual release of the accelerator. Reflexively stepping on the brakes or suddenly turning the steering wheel can lead to a complete loss of grip and spinning of the car.
Rosen Daskalov emphasizes: "Under no circumstances should you panic and step on the brakes or turn the steering wheel sharply. On the contrary, you should look for a place on the lane where there is good grip." It is the finding of a section with greater friction between the tires and the surface that can help the car to be controlled.
On the question of where these safer sections are located, he clarifies: "If there is no sidewalk on the shoulder, usually both wheels can be slightly inserted into the shoulder to provide grip." Thus, part of the car steps on a more uneven and rough surface, which allows for more effective braking.
With at least two tires in an area with good grip, the driver can start controlled braking without completely losing control of the vehicle. This is especially important in longer icy sections, where the driver must gradually reduce speed.
In a road demonstration, the racer shows how the car can be controlled in such conditions: "We move the car slightly towards the end of the section where there is grip, and accordingly we see that the car stopped quite normally. We try again - we accelerate, we step on the brake - you see, there is movement, very slight skidding, but the car stops."
Another "golden rule" according to him is to always reduce speed even before entering even slight turns when there is a risk of ice or "black ice". In this way, even if an unexpected slippery area appears, the driver has a better chance of stopping safely or keeping the car in his lane.
Experts also remind pedestrians to be especially careful when crossing and moving on uncleared sidewalks, where invisible icy sections also form. It is recommended to use shoes with rougher soles and avoid sudden movements on frozen surfaces.
Meteorologists and road authorities urge all road users to comply with winter conditions and plan their travel with more time and attention. The expected new snowfall, cold and strong winds during the holidays will maintain the high risk of accidents on the roads and in the urban environment.