One of the things I learned many moons ago, while learning to drive in
winter Wyoming, was to test the traction. Get on the street, now do
this with few cars and at low speed, and stomp the brakes. If you
stop, you got good traction, if you slide, well get off the freaking
brakes.
By doing this, you have a better idea of how far you need to stop and
IF you can stop. Sure the conditions will change through out the day,
but at least if you try this when and where you can, need to, you know
what is gonna happen.
Do they teach this in drivers school?? No!! I learned it from my dad,
who told me he learned it from his dad.
I was with a bus of college graduate students home to Arkansas from
Atlanta and hit a snow storm in Tennessee, the kid driving was from
California, spun us off the highway at 50 trying to pass a semi. The
chaperone made him get us out of the ditch. A few miles later they
asked me to drive (winter experience) and about 2 mile later, I slowed
as we had room, and announced I was gonna do this. Then did it.
Freaked most of them out. The chaperone (a faculty member) started
laughing. We got home safely driving up 71 into Fayetteville. Later I
was asked about the technique from a few of the other folks on the
bus. I explained it, and they tried it. I got a couple thanks from some.
Larry
On Jan 17, 2007, at 4:06 PM, Bud Osbourne wrote:
> Paul,
> You seem to be one of the enlightened few (out of the general, driving
> public) who've been able to grasp the concept that there is a wide
> range
> of traction/lack of traction available on snow, depending on an
> equally
> wide range of snow/ice conditions. A wet, "greasy" (from salt applied
> over several inches of snow, w/o benefit of plowing) 2 or 3 inches of
> snow, for example, is far more treacherous than an equal amount of dry
> (cold), "crisp" snow of 1" to 6". Unfortunately, the typical driver
> hasn't figured out that there is a difference.
> In my part of the "snow belt" (near Pittsburgh, PA), we get everything
> from freezing rain (but, not nearly as often as, say, the St. Louis
> area), to heavy, blizzard-like white-outs. Usually, it doesn't stay
> cold enough, long enough to really make it too difficult for road
> crews
> to melt it off with a mixture of corrosives and super-corrosives.
> Of course, since salt tends to HOLD moisture on the road, the moisture
> often re-freezes as temps drop below 20F, after dark. Of course,
> since
> most drivers aren't aware of this, there are certain periods of the
> day/night, during any winter weather event, where, suddenly, there
> is a
> "rash" of skidding accidents. The type of vehicle most likely to be
> involved (personal observation): big, fat yuppie-driven SUVs.
> People seem to think that, if they have 4 wheel drive, they are immune
> from winter driving hazards. They fail to realize, until it's too
> late,
> that correct tires, good balance, low center of gravity and good
> car-control skills will win out over technology/"yuppie-ness" most
> every
> time.
> BTW, there seems to be a trend, by manufacturers, toward better
> handling
> SUVs. But, without the experience & ability to "read the road/snow",
> they're still gonna have trouble.
> Bud Osbourne
>
>
--
Larry B. Macy, Ph.D.
macy@bbl.med.upenn.edu
System Manager/Administrator
Neuropsychiatry Section
Department of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania
3400 Spruce St. - 10 Gates
Philadelphia, PA 19104
In a world without walls or fences, what use do we have for windows or
gates?
--
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