Final answer:
Icy road conditions are hazardous due to reduced friction between tires and the road, and while deicing salts can help melt the ice to some extent, their effectiveness diminishes at very low temperatures. Winter tires are necessary to provide more friction during these conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Icy road conditions can be particularly hazardous for driving because of the reduction in traction that occurs when water freezes on road surfaces. The formation of ice on roads reduces the friction between tires and the road, leading to potential loss of control of the vehicle. To combat this issue, authorities often spread deicing salts like sodium chloride or calcium chloride on the roads to lower the freezing point of water, which helps to melt the ice and regain some traction. However, this method has its limitations as it becomes less effective when temperatures drop significantly below the salts' effective melting range.
Moreover, winter tires, which are designed to create more friction with the road, become essential during icy conditions. These tires have special treads to grip the icy surface better. This is similar to the way ice skates allow for locomotion on ice through controlled sliding; the skates provide enough friction to control the movement while still sliding over the ice. It's important to remember that driving in icy conditions requires extra caution, even with winter tires, as the hazardous potential for sliding and accidents is greatly increased.