Discover the secret danger lurking behind this baffling road sign – it’s not what you think!
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As the winter chill sets in and the landscape transforms into a picturesque scene of snow-covered trees and frosted windows, many of us look forward to the cozy comforts of the season.
However, with the beauty of winter comes a less welcome companion: the treacherous driving conditions. Driving during winter is one of the most challenging things to accomplish, especially since the roads are slippery.
We encounter a lot of signs advising us to keep safe. Among the various warnings we encounter on the road, there's one sign that often causes confusion and concern: “Bridge Freezes Before Road.”
You've likely seen it before, a sign that seems to state the obvious, yet its implications are far from simple. “Bridge Freezes Before Road” – this phrase is not just a quirky piece of roadside poetry but a critical warning for drivers, especially during the colder months.
Sometimes, it even shows “Bridge Ices Before Road” or even “Watch for Ice on Bridge.” The reason behind this cautionary message is rooted in physics. Bridges, unlike roads, are exposed to the elements from all sides.
They lack the insulating benefit of the earth beneath them, which helps maintain a more constant temperature for the roadways that are grounded.
This means that when temperatures drop, bridges can become icy much faster than the adjacent pavement. This is because bridges are more exposed to the elements since it has air flowing over their top and bottom.
One of the biggest risks comes from the false sense of security drivers might feel on clear roads.
You might be cruising along a dry highway, but as soon as you hit a bridge, the conditions can change dramatically.
Bridges also don’t freeze in a uniform manner. The parts that are hidden under the shade may be icy, while those exposed to the sun aren’t.
That's why these signs are strategically placed: to remind you to slow down and be prepared for the possibility of ice, even if you can't see it.
Adding to the danger is the phenomenon of black ice – a thin, transparent layer of ice that blends in with the road surface, making it nearly invisible to drivers.
It's a winter hazard that can catch even the most experienced driver off guard, turning roads into unseen skating rinks in an instant.
Professor Clifford Mass from the University of Washington points out that bridges are particularly susceptible to icing early in the winter season. “Bridges ... do not receive heat from the ground below. Thus, bridges are much more vulnerable to roadway icing at night compared to normal road surfaces,” he remarked.
This is because the ground has not yet fully cooled down, and the temperature difference between the air and the surface can be more pronounced, leading to faster icing on bridges.
Have you ever encountered a surprise patch of ice on a bridge? Do you have any winter driving tips to share? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!
However, with the beauty of winter comes a less welcome companion: the treacherous driving conditions. Driving during winter is one of the most challenging things to accomplish, especially since the roads are slippery.
We encounter a lot of signs advising us to keep safe. Among the various warnings we encounter on the road, there's one sign that often causes confusion and concern: “Bridge Freezes Before Road.”
You've likely seen it before, a sign that seems to state the obvious, yet its implications are far from simple. “Bridge Freezes Before Road” – this phrase is not just a quirky piece of roadside poetry but a critical warning for drivers, especially during the colder months.
Sometimes, it even shows “Bridge Ices Before Road” or even “Watch for Ice on Bridge.” The reason behind this cautionary message is rooted in physics. Bridges, unlike roads, are exposed to the elements from all sides.
A road sign warning “Bridge Freezes before Road” serves as a caution for motorists to slow down to avoid accidents. Image source: Pexels / Magda Ehlers.
They lack the insulating benefit of the earth beneath them, which helps maintain a more constant temperature for the roadways that are grounded.
This means that when temperatures drop, bridges can become icy much faster than the adjacent pavement. This is because bridges are more exposed to the elements since it has air flowing over their top and bottom.
One of the biggest risks comes from the false sense of security drivers might feel on clear roads.
You might be cruising along a dry highway, but as soon as you hit a bridge, the conditions can change dramatically.
Bridges also don’t freeze in a uniform manner. The parts that are hidden under the shade may be icy, while those exposed to the sun aren’t.
That's why these signs are strategically placed: to remind you to slow down and be prepared for the possibility of ice, even if you can't see it.
Adding to the danger is the phenomenon of black ice – a thin, transparent layer of ice that blends in with the road surface, making it nearly invisible to drivers.
It's a winter hazard that can catch even the most experienced driver off guard, turning roads into unseen skating rinks in an instant.
Professor Clifford Mass from the University of Washington points out that bridges are particularly susceptible to icing early in the winter season. “Bridges ... do not receive heat from the ground below. Thus, bridges are much more vulnerable to roadway icing at night compared to normal road surfaces,” he remarked.
This is because the ground has not yet fully cooled down, and the temperature difference between the air and the surface can be more pronounced, leading to faster icing on bridges.
Have you ever encountered a surprise patch of ice on a bridge? Do you have any winter driving tips to share? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!
