Ever drive slick, "icey" roads in Phoenix or Las Vegas? (climate, snowy)

[tijlover]

I come from Minnesota and I know what slick, icy roads are all about, but how many people know how slick the roads can become here after one of our rare, occaional rains here in summer?

There are times, in my 13 years here, where we have gone 5 months without a drop of rain. During that 5 months, the oil has accumulated on the roadways, and with one rain shower, the city becomes one big skating rink with deafening ambulance sirens going off everywhere.

When that happens, I feel like I've been transported back to Minnesota. You try hard to stop at a stop light without sliding through the intersection or have someone rear-end you in the process. So you finally stop, which is a big victory. The light turns green. You'd be a total idiot to accelerate without first waiting to see if the cross traffic doesn't slide through the intersection, and when you do accelerate, your wheels spin and spin and spin.

Then you worry and worry, about all the newcomers to the Southwest, their lack of experience of driving on black ice.

When this occurs, if I get caught up in it, I just park my car somewhere and just watch the show.

For those coming here to visit and plan on renting a car while here, please check the weather report for the last 6 months and if it looks like it's going to rain, after a long period with no rain, while you're here, be very, very careful.

[ivanabacowboy]

I moved to Phoenix from Cleveland, so I know black ice (and white ice, and melted ice and dirty ice and lol!).

That said, the other major issue, at least in the part of town I live in, is the lack of drainage. Simply, this is the desert. They didnt build in huge massive sewer systems like we had back east for that whole 7 inch annual rainfall. In some places, they just run it off into washes and roadside depressions which they fill with pretty landscaping that gets a good drink and looks pretty after a rain. Which works fine in minor rains and helps the plants out. But given a good decent rain, you wont have to worry about the "black ice" effect too much-->because the roads WILL flood. As will the parking lots. And intersections. And be especially wary of driving in the rain after dark-you wont SEE that the road ahead of you is flooded just beyond that dip in front of your vehicle...

And before you even think of driving on a road here when it is possible it will flood-be forewarned we have a "Stupid Motorist Law". That is basically as follows: if you are stupid enough to drive into a partially or fully flooded road and you get stuck and require assistance getting out---->you WILL be billed accordingly and have to pay for it. ;-)

[kimba01]

I totally agree with you about the roads in Vegas when it rains. After coming from MI when it rains or snows more than 1/2 the year, it was strange that you had to be just as careful in the rain in Vegas. Here in MI in the rain, it is not much of a problem unless you are on newly tarred roads. And yes, there are some crazies out there, so you not only need to be aware of your own self, but others around you.

[miamiman]

I lived in Central New Jersey for quite a few years. I know more than enough about driving on black ice. Most Phoenicians are from colder climates, so I imagine that they know how to drive on snow/ice. Also, many Arizonans go to the high country in the winter, which often has icy/snowy roads. Las Vegas gets accumulating snow regularly enough that I would imagine most residents have driven on slick roads.