road conditions (Gardiner: how much, inspection, live in)

[bvet4dog]

Hello fellow Mainers,

I'm sick and tired of the road conditions, for some reason the town didn't sand these roads. Last night in Gardiner, i had an accident and i broke 2 ribs. They forced me to take the ambulance to the hospital and stuff. I don't have any internal bleeding or anything, just few broken ribs.

I was not even going fast at all, i was only going 30ish mph and i hit a black ice. I hit the snow bank, hit the ditch (water pie - drain thing) and i passed 3 trees on the driver sides by 2 inches and i was just a foot away from hitting a big fat pine tree in front of me.


I'm really pissed about the road conditions because the town did nothing! So any fellow mainers that are going to be driving….. please drive safe and much slower! i thought i was going to be fine and i didn't think i was going fast at all... but believe me! it does not take much to crash!!!!


Sorry, i just wanted to vent and make sure every one's are aware of the road conditions especially on the cold temps like this.

[Maine Writer]

I'm glad you're not more seriously hurt but gees, broken ribs hurt like heck. At least at your mom's you're warm and have water. Make sure you don't over do it while you're healing.

[retiredtinbender]

Sorry to hear about the accident. But you can't be too carefull with broke ribs. Can easily puncture a lung and such. It doesn't take hardly any speed hitting icet to lose it. I bet you pick up 3 or 4 times the speed skidding. Glad you're doing OK and fuming. Good sign.

[mommax3plus2]

something my husband pointed out to me after the first snowstorm of the season (and every one since then) is that the roads do not seem to maintained as well as we are used to. his thought is that with the state having a financial shortfall problem that we better get used to it. in his opinion this is just one of the many cutbacks they are making (that dont make sense)

[Acadianlion]

Originally Posted by mommax3plus2

something my husband pointed out to me after the first snowstorm of the season (and every one since then) is that the roads do not seem to maintained as well as we are used to. his thought is that with the state having a financial shortfall problem that we better get used to it. in his opinion this is just one of the many cutbacks they are making (that dont make sense)

Yes, it is pretty obvious that the state and local communities are now plowing and sanding as early in storms as previously, and not as aggressively plowing and sanding/salting the roads after storms as has been the case for quite a few years now.

I also understand that the formula used in the sand mix being applied has changed to something not as efficient at breaking up ice and melting ice as previously used. The reason, I was told, is that the unpleasant side effect of this stuff was the destruction of the underside of cars and trucks here, with brake lines and mufflers, tailpipes, and hangers being destroyed in two years or less. It is only in the past few years that the annual inspection has involved examination of brake lines, but now the vehicle is supposed to be placed on a lift and the entire underside of the car inspected including brake lines, mufflers, clamps, hangers and all seals and places which can leak lubricants and other fluids onto the ground.

I suspect that during this recession and for some time forward, we will need to get used to the simple fact that we live in Maine and here in Maine we will not have the road conditions of Florida every day of the year.

It may well be that a lot of people will need to slow down, put down their cell phones, and pay attention to their winter driving.

[retiredtinbender]

Originally Posted by Acadianlion

Yes, it is pretty obvious that the state and local communities are now plowing and sanding as early in storms as previously, and not as aggressively plowing and sanding/salting the roads after storms as has been the case for quite a few years now.

I also understand that the formula used in the sand mix being applied has changed to something not as efficient at breaking up ice and melting ice as previously used. The reason, I was told, is that the unpleasant side effect of this stuff was the destruction of the underside of cars and trucks here, with brake lines and mufflers, tailpipes, and hangers being destroyed in two years or less. It is only in the past few years that the annual inspection has involved examination of brake lines, but now the vehicle is supposed to be placed on a lift and the entire underside of the car inspected including brake lines, mufflers, clamps, hangers and all seals and places which can leak lubricants and other fluids onto the ground.

I suspect that during this recession and for some time forward, we will need to get used to the simple fact that we live in Maine and here in Maine we will not have the road conditions of Florida every day of the year.

It may well be that a lot of people will need to slow down, put down their cell phones, and pay attention to their winter driving.

Good point. Everyone is cutting down on the amount of roadwork and in towns, the amount of repairs and refurbishing. Matter of ecnomics. Fuel, both heat and auto, were exhorbadnat this past year. They have dropped now but there is no way to budget forcast a year in advance on these things. Sand and chemicals costs rode a great deal also. Best thing to do is slow down which is not easy in a "hurry up" world.

The DOT and the State Planning Office are cutting out coffee and refreshments at training classes. Notices tell you to bring your own. Good. A minor thing in general but on the grand scale it shows a little rsponsibility at least. Now to bring the Legislature up to speed.

[starwalker]

as far as I can tell, the best thing one can do to improve driving safety is to turn the (blankety blank) cell phone OFF when you get in the car as a driver.

Admittedly all the inattentive, stupid stuff I see drivers do is not ALL done by someone with a phone to their ear... but at least half is.

Add to that iffy road conditions and you should want to have all your attention on the road and both hands on the wheel. Heck I even turn the radio off, so as not to be distracted, which at least helps me to stay out of the way of the distracted ones, I hope!

[island mermaid]

I've been waiting for years for them to pass the "no 18 wheelers in the passing lane during a blizzard law". I know this won't be popular with some of my dearest friends here, but there's nothing worse than driving up the highway in a heavy blizzard and having a semi next to you causing a total white out. If they'd just pass me and move back over it would be fine. But it seems like they come up along side of you and ride there for ever. I'd flash em that it's okay to move in, but nooooooo.......
I'm sure they aren't our local truckers, they'd know better! It has to be the OTR'ers from out of state that fly by you going way too fast because they think they're invincible in those big rigs. Till you see them mashed up against the guard rail, two at a time- causing traffic jams for hours waiting for someone to come untangle them.

(sorry about the rant)

[mollysmiles]

I have to say that I wonder how much good it did us all to adjust to perfectly bare roads in the first place!! When I learned to drive that roads weren't bare in the winter.... we all learned winter driving because it REALLY was so much different than the driving the rest of the year. I think in many ways we've forgotten or become complacent. Now that our roads *aren't* being maintained at that level, it's a struggle to adjust, or it's at the very least a noticeable adjustment!

bvet, I'm very glad that you're all right! Still, even though you're thinking it's just broken ribs, you need to be very careful!

[RANGER.101ST]

Originally Posted by island mermaid

I've been waiting for years for them to pass the "no 18 wheelers in the passing lane during a blizzard law". I know this won't be popular with some of my dearest friends here, but there's nothing worse than driving up the highway in a heavy blizzard and having a semi next to you causing a total white out. If they'd just pass me and move back over it would be fine. But it seems like they come up along side of you and ride there for ever. I'd flash em that it's okay to move in, but nooooooo.......
I'm sure they aren't our local truckers, they'd know better! It has to be the OTR'ers from out of state that fly by you going way too fast because they think they're invincible in those big rigs. Till you see them mashed up against the guard rail, two at a time- causing traffic jams for hours waiting for someone to come untangle them.

(sorry about the rant)

ya what she said.