It really is innocent looking, because it looks just like wet pavement. But it can be dangerous as a rattlesnake. And just like that reptile, it strikes when you least expect it, with the intent to cause you a lot of pain and destruction. Truly unseeable, hiding in plain sight. With absolutely no redeeming value, it is only there to jangle your nerves at best, and send you careening out of control at worst.

Black ice is the byproduct of snow or freezing rain, a warming-up period, and then severely dropping temperatures which refreezes that water into a smooth-as-glass, black, unseeable sheet of ice. Capable of turning your vehicle into a whirling dervish, then ending your sudden adventure upside down in the nearby ditch. Or in front of an oncoming car.

Hitting your brakes when you suddenly realize, “Houston, we have a problem” doesn’t help you at all. In fact, it is the worst thing you can do. Brakes attempting to grab at that slick mess will only complicate things, and will likely cause a bigger crash than if you had just chosen to grab your ears and ride it out until it’s over.

Sound familiar? If you have ever had to drive in winter time in one of our states that receives snow, rain, sleet or an ice storm, then you likely know of what I speak. You can be merrily tooling along, listening to your favorite podcast or music and suddenly find yourself on a Winter Wonderland Swirling and Whirling Adventure, worthy of a five-star rating at Disney World.

Five heart-stopping seconds later, when your car settles down and coasts to a stop, you let loose of the breath you hadn’t realized you were holding. You quickly check yourself and everyone else in the car for injuries. And hopefully finding none, you proceed with the next series of necessities. You open the car door and gingerly feel your way out of the car to determine how much damage you’ve inflicted during your ride into the great unknown. Returning to your seat, you fish around for your lost cell phone which flew to the backseat and is now resting under your seven-year-old’s feet. About then, you realize that somewhere in all that excitement and terror, you had needed a bathroom break … but way too late now.

If you have never been the petrified recipient of one of our ‘famous free exciting rides in wintertime’ then count yourself very fortunate. Because that free ride invariably costs you. Not only will your insurance company hit you with a higher deductible, but will also hike your annual rate for the privilege of providing you with accident coverage. And of course, there is always the likely expense of another vehicle while yours is being repaired.

Never forget the old adage, “Ain’t nothin’ free.” Especially an unexpected fun-filled whirl on black ice.

Sounds exactly like life itself. — Podcasts are available at Coffeetimecolumn.com. Send any responses to andybowman839@gmail.com.