Road snakes (tar snakes)

Road snakes or tar snakes are the shiny black lines of bitumen sealant used to fill cracks in asphalt. They often wind across the lane, which is how they got the name.

The sealant is smoother than the surrounding asphalt and has less grip, especially on hot days when it softens, and in rain. Crossing one while leaning or braking hard can make the tyre slip briefly, which can be startling.

Where possible, cross them upright and avoid hard braking or acceleration on them. Look further ahead to spot repaired sections early and choose a line between the strips.