Idiots on winter roads....

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by gobrien

The U.S. Department of transportation's Federal Highway Administration review research on traffic speed in 1998.[17] The summary states:

• That the evidence shows that the risk of having a crash is increased both for vehicles traveling slower than the average speed, and for those traveling above the average speed.

I find this to be particularly true during the winter. More often than not, those who merge onto the Glenn do so at a substantially slower speed than the traffic. If traffic in the right-hand lane is doing 40 mph, invariably people will be attempting to merge at 20 mph. Thus, causing those driving 40 mph to move to the left-hand lane where the traffic is going 60 mph.

It is difficult to say which causes more ditch divers, those who drive too fast for the conditions, or those forced into the ditch by those incapable of merging at the speed of the traffic.

[bkyhi]

Yep - speed (and inexperience) kills.

There are always people who will push the envelope whatever the activity. When it's just you - I have no problem. But NOTHING gives YOU the right to take ME out with you.

We humans are incredibly adept in figuring out ways to get the risk level back to what we will personally accept. Someone comes out with some safety device and we will figure that gives an added edge so we push some more. Instead of acting within the range where that device will do some good - just push a little further.

But remember those devices are secondary not primary. They are intended to help you out when you stray too far. DO NOT depend on that cushion, depend on yourself. Stay within the limits of your ability, your condition and the environment. You can't help the unexpected but you need to think out the possiblities and account for as many of them as you can. Don't ignore risk, manage it! All those wonderful traction controls are great but if you go beyond their limits they don't do much good. They help to level the playing field between the less experienced and the more experienced, and give the experienced an added edge. But again they are designed to work within limits - out of those limits they may not be worth much.

When I first learned to skydive it was pounded into my head time and again. Do NOT depend on all the gizmos, use your head and keep aware. Stuff will happen beyond your control and you need to be prepared and able. A fraction of a second can be the difference between tomorrow vs your funeral. One of my friends who is an instructor used to say: "there are old skydivers and there are bold skydivers but you won't find many old bold skydivers". He's one of the old skydivers, not the bold ones.

Racecar driving is one of the most dangerous sports. That why those drivers have highly honed skills and lots of experience. But idiots want to do the same kind of thing on the road, without the skills and experience and with a highly unpredictable environment.

Another general rule for us humans, look toward where you want to go, not where you don't want to go. We WILL have a tendency to go where we're looking. Don't think "it won't happen to me", because that's chance - sometimes it will happen to you. Try to prevent that as well as you can. There are no guarantees but do your best to keep the odds in your favor. Experience is something that really helps to stack those odds.

A number of years ago I totaled my car during a "risky" manuver - in front of a large group of people including about 5 cops. One of the cops made the comment that I was going way too fast. But the reality was that the right rear suspension failed I did everything I knew yet I lost control. Luckily I walked away with only a bruised ego. But I learned - sh t does happen and you can get caught in the middle. Yeah that never happens .... ha, ha ,ha! (BTW this was NOT done on the public road - I wouldn't be that much of an idiot)

I guess I'm just getting old - that's a nice thing - to get old.

I applaud stewnsue and navaidsguy for asking questions. One suggestion I have is to do the parking lot thing but for added benefit do it with someone who has a lot of experience. Let them show you, then you try - gee just like training. All the words will pale in comparison to actually being there. That's how I learn a lot of things and it does work.

Some really good info in this thread.

[stewnsue]

Woohoo! Got to practice my winter driving skills today! 40 mile drive to work with snow and ice on the highway. No problems! The worst place was the parking lot at my hospital, so I took the opportunity to "get the feel" for my truck on ice/snow. Great advice you guys! Now if I can just make it home tonight when everything re-freezes and turns to ice...... I have decided that 4WD is not to help you on the snowy/icy roads, it is to help you get out of the ditch you end up in! Lol. No ditches for me today, hopefully none tonight either. Happy trails!

[bkyhi]

Oh?
4WD does help keep me on the road - But Barrow roads may be a little different than what you have. They are pretty much ice with a dusting of snow sometimes. By January any gravel visible now will be fully covered.
I see the scrapers are putting those little gooves in the roads to help us motorists.

A few days ago Floyd and I had a quick conversation about 4WD and I mentioned that I usually keep the truck in 2 wheel mode - I told him to save gas but the real reason is that it's usually a lot more fun. Especially at intersections.

But yes if it weren't for 4 wheels there are many times I wouldn't be able to get out from where I park. Didn't do much good in front of Floyd's house this afternoon where I parked half on the road and half off - about 16 inches below road level and managed to end up bottomed out to the chassis. Needed to dig a little and then a little tug from Tom's truck to get me out.

Oh what an adventurous life I lead....