It's only a bit of snow - grow up!

[Apache]

How can you say they are irrelevant just because they are not from UK ???Surely, the country where those pictures were taken have a lot more snow than UK therefore I would expect the drivers to be more proficient in snow driving.

I was going to post more photographs of accidents but decided against it as the people were dead anyway so it didn't matter !!!! :red card

As I drive around I listen to the radio - every day there are car accidents. What we need to know is the increased risk from driving in snow. You can find pictures of bumps in the snow, I can find many more accidents in good weather.

My gut feeling is although there may be an increased chance of an accident I suspect there would be a much reduced fatality rate due to the lower speeds. Most of the accidents are low speed bumps because people's bad driving or failing to read the road properly.

 

[Bwy]

I think I would rather not make any further comments on this thread to save any bad feelings.

We all have opinions but the trick it to recognise that fact. :good night:

 

[Apache]

:good night:

 

[Megaohm7]

Why does most countries in Europe manage to run as normal but year after year it seems to collapse here when we have snowfall? As people have said before, make sure you vehicle is ready for winter, flask of hot drink, warm clothing, good boots and keep your mobile fully charged, etc.etc. It's common sense and being prepared as best as you can.When will this country just get on with it as best as they can without the drama of things coming to a standstill. I would still look out for the vulnerable folk in the community though and lend a hand where I could... :coffee

 

[revjames]

be prepared and be patient. the country shouldnt come to a standstill because of a few inches of snow. It never used to. Schools close as soon as theres a flake of snow because of H&S little Jonny might slip and graze his knee.. At least if the schools are shut there will be less mums doing the school run. I was behind one this morning on a snow free and well gritted road doing 15mph and braking suddenly when she felt like it. She should have stayed at home.

Tonight came out from a party and there was 6-7" of snow. 7 miles back to the house. Just took it steady. No grit, no snowplows just a Rover 45. Maintained a steady 20 on the firm snow and allowed plenty of time for slowing for junctions. Stopped at the lights to help a lady who managed to go in a straight line through a fence in her Saab, instead of going right! no one hurt, so assessed the damage and helped her on her way.

Got to my street, no cars about and a 90 degree bend, so handbraked it round - missus screamed but I thought it was great.

So I would agree with Patch. Unless we learn to deal with these conditions we will be ruled by them.

 

[Megaohm7]

Schools closing when we have some snow is crazy as I can't remember my school closing when it snowed, but now all the kids are glued to the weather forecast praying for some snow over night so they will get the following day/s off school. I don't mind driving in snow at all and it can be fun somtimes

 

[revjames]

When I was a kid we still went to school, we still drove everywhere, we carried on as best we could. Cant remember anyone getting hurt. As people say 'common sense' is underestimated. If we take all the potential risks out of everything by having a 'nanny state' like under Labour. How will we cope when we have no choice but to deal with a difficult situation?

 

[Megaohm7]

It's really down to common sense which does appear to be seriously lacking in todays public.. :_|

 

[kme]

It's really down to common sense which does appear to be seriously lacking in todays public.. :_|

Therein lies the big issue - apart from the stupid police quote (everyone considers THEIR journey "necessary"), the biggest problem is lack of ability, or possibly lack of awareness of lack of ability.

I almost "spun out" this morning, because the wallaby in front of me started to climb a hill at 7 MPH, then gave up, got out & walked away! I had no momentum, which I would have had if he had known how to take that hill. 2nd gear, no accelerator at all, and 3 mins to move 30 feet : headbang

If those who don`t have the vehicle / skill / capability to drive in ANY conditions didn`t, we wouldn`t have so many issues.

I`ll second `pache`s point r.e. Ice Road Truckers.

And with regard to the three wagons in North Wales - they had a woman on the tele earlier, who`d left her mother in the car with her three kids (youngest 6 months), to walk up to the services and get some food & milk?!?!?!

She should be summarily shot for going out with young kids and zero preparation. She shouldn`t have taken 3 youngsters anywhere in a car in any conditions without something!!!!! Stupid pillock.

I will accept that some vehicles don`t like snow / ice as much as others. If you`ve got one of them - don`t go out.

If you don`t know how to drive in the conditions - don`t go out.

The rest of us have a much better chance of surviving unscathed if the unable drivers don`t balls it up.

FYI - I did the first 4 miles of my journey this morning with zero accelerator usage. No of times I lost traction? none.

(FWIW: FWD van)

KME

 

[castlehill]

I live at the top of a hill which can be quite a challenge to get up when the snow comes. A taxi picked me up last week and when he went to move off he says must put my traction control on for this bit and promptly presses the button turning it off. Takes of with wheels spinning wildly and says thats better. I wonder how many more are out there not knowing how their vehicle actually works?

 

[revjames]

Traction control works by putting the brake on the spinning wheel thus allowing the wheel with grip to have some motion. It that spins as well then you are stuck. Even people with 4WDs need to realise they are not invincible. One wheel spins and they are stuck unless they have a diff lock. My trusty Rover 45 has none of these but ABS braking which is helpful but not essential.

I have an engagement about 10 miles away this morning. 8" of snow outside but no hills so I will give it my best shot!

 

[spinlondon]

Always seems a bit chicken and eggish to me.

If you haven't got the experience to drive in the snow, you won't get any if you stay at home.

 

[ElectekAir]

I don't know about other European countries but in Ukraine and Russia people have spikes in their tyres for the snow and ice.

I believe you are not allowed to use them over here

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Part of the problem is the modern method of teaching youngsters to drive.

side note:-

Many skids are due to the wheels being braked, thus stopping wheel rotation. Keep the wheels rotating and the you do not skid.

BUT...

driving instructors today tend to teach...

'Approach junctions just using brakes' NO going down through the gears.. (Badger mentioned this use of gears earlier)

I have had this verified from several young people I know discussing how and what they were taught..

SO there is a whole generation of people driving around without a clue that you can use the gears for slowing or braking..

Thus if going down a snowy hill they have no concept that you can drop down a gear, lift off the accelerator, no need to touch any brakes and the vehicle will start to slow down, dropping down another gear will slow things even more, or even letting it crawl down a hill in a low gear with minimal brakes used.

As for the stupid git's who drive off with no visibility through their windows or mirrors just a small gap where the wipers swipe across the front screen..

they should ALL have on the spot

 

[MalcyB]

Going back 30 years, when I lived in Sheffield, I used to have an old MK1 escort (rear wheel drive) every year around begining of December I used to put snow tyres on, and they would last out the whole of the next year. I never got stuck in the snow, it never stopped me from going to where I wanted and we had some bad falls of snow.

I prefer a rear wheel drive in the snow, I think it is easier to correct a skid.

 

[switch10]

well fair few inches of snow on the ground today and still snowing heavy, had to go out , and the cars a 1.8 20v turbo golf , which has a lot of power, still no probs getting anywhere, as i know how to drive in the snow. fair few idiots around though as usual either accelerating to hard or braking to hard. people tail gating etc., them people dont have a clue and shouldnt be on the road.

would definately make it a safer place for all us who know how to drive in this weather

 

[Evans Electric]

Local radio in this region tends to sound panic stricken when it snows (Radio WM) making things sound worse than they are. The problem here is it is an overcrowded city full of impatient Prairie Hats tailgating each other .

Or as you have gathered the momentum to get up the hill sticking to the centre of the road , some part who cannot wait starts coming down towards you ,also in the centre .

Another problem is that children seem to have lost the use of their legs and go straight from buggies to 4X4 s hence the chaos round the schools .

I didn't get where I am today without trudging through the snow to school (which never seemed to close) in my wellies .

 

[batty]

I agree with KME about not driving if you can't as said my rear wheel drive transit does not like the snow and as for weight that does not make any difference as it has plenty of that. So unless it is really vital I will not go out. I agree with SL on how people are taught these days when I learnt to drive you did use the gears to slow down and not your brakes. My daughter who passed her test a couple of years ago drives different to me and my wife as she was taught differently. As you say they don't use there gears but reallied on there brakes which means in snow conditions it an accident waiting to happen.

 

[Evans Electric]

My old Escort diesel Van is not too bad in the snow.

I don't have a car but drive my wife's Focus , which is automatic as she can no longer use the clutch , thing is you have to use the brakes an awful lot , it doesn't seem to slow down quickly enough when you lift your foot off the gas , so I've yet to drive it in this snow .

 

[Cirrus]

well said. every time theres snow in cheltenham, i get calls to say oh dont come today etc etc, as the weathers to bad, however as you state, if you drive sensibly and prepare then theres no reason people cant carry on with there every day life.

Cheltenham has caught me out a few times though. I have quite a few customers there and Lecky hill / air balloon area is notorious for causing problems in the snow. The funniest is watching rear wheel drive Mercs / BMW's spinning!