Winter Driving Statistic

[TB Roye]

98% of American say "OH ****" before going in the ditch on a slippery road.

The 2% are from Michigan and they say, "Hold my beer and Watch This."

LOML and her family are from Upper Pieninsula Michigan so I can say it is true.

Me I am a native Califorian and try not to drive on those roads.

Tom

[cabinetman]

Tom

You're missing out on all the fun.
.

[TB Roye]

And why are you in Florida? Had all the slippen and sliden I wanted when I was racing. Still said "Oh ****" before I hit the wall. When I worked as a Nonuniformed employee for the CHP and was in Northern CA. I was sent to winter driving training as I had never driven in snow or ice. Never didn't really get comfortable with it but kept it out of the ditch. Driving on a dirt track was much easier even though it was much faster.

Tom

[Black wallnut]

Tom

You're missing out on all the fun.
.

No offense intended buy I'm glad you are in Flordia! There are two types of driver's that should avoid drivng in slippery road conditions: those that think it is fun and those that are so paranoid that they panic at the slightest bit of trouble. I've been driving on slick winter roads ever since I got my driver's license and most of that time has been in a big truck. Winter driving is serious business and there are far too many lives at risk. I have witnessed far too many accidents and clsoe calls by the lack of abilities of both of these former groups. IMHO there is nothing fun about driving on ice so slick that you can't stand up, fog so thick and freezing that you can't see and snow blowing so hard that the road is invisible. Snow so deep and slippery that if you lose your traction you are stuck, thus crating a further traffic hazard.

*rant mode off* I thought that was hilarious!

[Rob25]

I am a fellow yooper, from the UP... Where are they from? Im from Escanaba, living in Houghton...

[JimD]

We might get some frozen stuff tomorrow night but it looks like it will stop in the upstate of SC - not affect me. When we get a little ice or snow around here, it is amazing how many people go off the road. I still had my little 1997 4WD Suzuki Sidekick the last time it snowed here. I worked late (to let others get off the road) and tried to use 4WD but the Sidekick is a part time system that is not supposed to be used on dry pavement and I got worried I would hurt the vehicle there was so little snow on the road. I went back to 2WD and never spun a tire. There were cars in the ditch every 50-100 yards. I still do not understand how they do it. I drove that Sidekick in snow as deep as 12 inches in Pa. Worked nice but totally unnecessary around here.

I grew up in Kansas and have lived in Pennsylvania a couple times for a total of about 15 years and in Nebraska for a few years. The last 8 in SC have been the first time we did not get at least a couple incidents of frozen precipitation a year. Practice helps but the only "secret" is to not do abrupt things - turning, starting, stopping. When you spin, get off the gas. If you are on ice, do not touch the brakes unless you absolutely have to use them and if so, do that as gently as possible. Nothing very hard but if you only see frozen stuff every 5 years or more.....

Jim

[jackellis]

I'm with Mark when it comes to driving in bad weather. We've reached the point where we'll wait for the snow to stop before driving into the mountains. No matter how important the meeting is, I won't drive in thick fog or heavy rain any more. It's just too dangerous and I'm not in a rush to meet my demise.

One thing to consider if you live in or have to drive through areas that are prone to fog is to check airport weather forecasts, which are typically much more detailed (and more cryptic) than the national weather forecasts. I use this site all the time when fly someplace: adds.aviationweather.noaa.gov

You have to know the local airport identifiers. Click the tab labeled TAF, enter the airport IDs, click translated, and presto, you get a detailed weather forecast, including fog.

[cabinetman]

No offense intended buy I'm glad you are in Flordia! There are two types of driver's that should avoid drivng in slippery road conditions: those that think it is fun and those that are so paranoid that they panic at the slightest bit of trouble. I've been driving on slick winter roads ever since I got my driver's license and most of that time has been in a big truck. Winter driving is serious business and there are far too many lives at risk. I have witnessed far too many accidents and clsoe calls by the lack of abilities of both of these former groups. IMHO there is nothing fun about driving on ice so slick that you can't stand up, fog so thick and freezing that you can't see and snow blowing so hard that the road is invisible. Snow so deep and slippery that if you lose your traction you are stuck, thus crating a further traffic hazard.

*rant mode off* I thought that was hilarious!

I've got the utmost respect for adverse driving conditions. I've been involved in SCCA racing events since the late 70's. Was an avid autocrosser for 20 years. Was a member of BMWCCA and PCA for many years and involved in the driver training program. I developed a "Driver Safety School" which was given on a skidpad, both wet and dry. The program also included a classroom portion where vehicle dynamics and car control were taught, and on track training with an instructor in the car. I've driven on ice, snow, and dirt, both on a daily situation and in competition.

I've had students that were full time drivers for a living like OTR, sales, and delivery, that learned real fast how much they didn't know after spewing how much driving they do.

My reply to Tom was in jest and didn't think it would be taken literally. If I thought it would be I would have gone off on my own rant about losing control of your car ain't no fun at all, and could be deadly. But to keep the post light and lively it must have come off differently to you. I can appreciate your rant, and those that are subjected to those kind of conditions should take what you said to heart.

I can make a suggestion to members that there are car clubs all over that offer driver training for all kinds of situations, including teen programs. Most organizations offer non member participation.
.

[TB Roye]

Rob

She is from Nissula, was born in L'anse. The family farm and homestead, two seperate properties, are still there. We are planning on going to the farm in August I think thats when the big party is for my 92 year old MIL. She wants to go home one more time. All the old relatives are buried at the old Lutheran Church in Nissula and she will be too. Beautiful place been there a number of times but not in the last 10 years. You haven't had a Sauna untill you had one at the farm made with wood, Last time it drove me out while I was in the dressing room, could't take it. When the boys were little we took them one year for Christmas, it's one they will never will forget. I am Swedish and LOML is Finn what a combation.

Tom

[TB Roye]

CB

No offense taken, I love driving fast on dirt in my race car but I will not drive in the Ice and Snow if I can help it. To many nuts out there. Go up to Reno during the winter and watch all the idiots in thier 4X4 SUV's and Picups driving 60 mph and spinning out and going over the edge. Last time I drove up there I almost got taken out an SUV driving to fast with chains on. I have 2 wheel drive SUV and don't have any problems as I slow down in the snow expecially with chains.

Tom

[Pappy]

Did some time in Denver, Virginia, Oklahoma, and Iceland. Got enough experience on the slick stuff that I feel comfortable driving in it. Moved to the Austin area in '90. When the bridges ice up bad, I call in and stay home. The 3 times I did try to make the 25 miles to work some idiot went into a spin on the same bridge I was crossing at the time.

The Almighty Dollar ain't worth a plug nickel if you ain't around to spend it!

[bigstick509]

Seeing that I'm born and breed in Michigan I would like to correct one small thing about the original post, as anyone knows that has lived here any length of time is that you use the cup holders to hold the beer.

[gerti]

I would say snow is a very typical winter occurrence here in Minnesnowta. Yet every year during the first snow folks drive like they have never encountered it before. Strange... And I just loathe seeing those heavy SUVs plowing through the snow thinking they got extra special breaks too. They make live for all of us dangerous.