Hills, snow and ice

cubegame

Why o why do people lack so much common sense?

Last night I spent 6 and a half hours getting home mainly due to the hold up on a hill near me. There was ice across the road but it looked passable.

At around 7pm a lorry got stuck near the top. Myself and another driver walked up and found out there was a tractor coming to move him on. This had happened by the time we got back to our cars.

So with the top of the hill clear about four or five cars set off. They made it to the top and disappeared.

I was 2nd in the next batch of cars. The first car pulled off and I left him a good gap. Cue car behind beeping (sigh). When the first car was half way up I set off.

It was slow going but there was grip and although a bit slippy there was enough traction in 2nd gear. I was soon half way up and then I noticed, the car in front was getting closer. He was struggling and all of a sudden decided to panic, brake and stop! A car was coming downhill so I couldn't overtake so I had to stop as well.

Now here's the fun. The impatient car behind me had followed me up leaving a five foot gap all the way and was now stopped that distance behind me. So had the next ten cars which had decided to follow him.

None of us was no going anywhere and the reason for the hours delay became apparent. Most people are foolish tools who can't drive or who are scared of driving so shouldn't bother.

Oh and that was caused by one inch of snow........

Rant over.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

i agree in the snow its all about keeping the distance and maintaining speed and traction, some poeple drive like (.)(.) no matter the weather thinking if they stay attached to your back bumper THEY can stop in time because THEY have the skill (not).

They are too impatient to give someone sufficient time to start off, why should they they can fly about without a care in the world (for others that is)

people should be CAUTIOUS not overly but use your heads, its snow and should be treated as such, rushing round being as impatient as ever because your too impatient to do your christmas shopping is not worth risking lives of pedestrians and road users, and will cost your dearly in the long run plan your trip.

Rossy.

when i drive in snow be it in a Bus/HGV/car i don't attempt a hill until it's completely free of car's going up it

You didn't exactly help yourself in some ways by allowing only half a hill gap. Might sound a lot but you don't know how competant the driver in front was until you found out half way up.

Then again i tend to avoid hills in the first place for exactly the same scenario you've posted. Not everyone has the brains to climb an icy hill

Paradigm

Don't forget that for many this will be thier 1st experience of driving in snow... it's not a skill we are born with!

From my experience modern wide, low profile tyres don't help either.

I've got Vredestein sessantas on mine, great tyres in both wet & dry but show them minus temps & snow & they have to be the worst tyre I've ever had... they might as well be made out of wood!

I invested in some winter tyres & they are worth every penny.

ROY47

had a similar sort of experience today

took the daughter to work , roads were passible with care

looked in mirror ,there is mister 4x4 about 3 feet from my bumper !!!!!!!!!!!!!

i drive a Land Rover for work eveyday and know that yes they can drive ok in snow ,but they can't stop !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I pulled in and left the idiot pass me

he looked at me as if to say tos..r , can't drive in snow

gave him 2 finger salute !! as he passed me

clever_username

People are bombing around in their 4x4s round here as well.

fitshase

Had a similar experience a few years ago while driving in the snow up the A19. I was driving in a Ford KA at the time and keeping a steady speed in a high gear to avoid wheelspin. I was keeping a big distance between me and the car infront. A 4x4 tore right up my behind, pulled out and overtook me and sped off into the distance.

About 30 minutes later I passed the 4x4 driver. He was standing behind the crash barrier looking at his prized possession on its roof

The idiot had come across traffic so stamped on the brakes, couldn't stop, swerved, rode the barrier near to a bridge and flipped his car.

Today we were stuck in traffic near a minor hill. One car stuck near the top. Line of cars behind now stopped. People got out and helped to push the stuck car. Other cars managed to move but I sat and waited until the hill was clear. Cars behind were not pleased but stuff them - I knew I needed the run up to get up the hill and used it.

Finally got home, pulled on to the drive and then watched a car come flying up the road to the junction, slam on the brakes and slide straight into a parked car.

Why don't people drive appropriately for the conditions?!

Lum

Up in the Brecons, giving my winter tyres a bit of a workout and the people up there in their 4x4s (proper ones, Landies, Hiluxes, quad bikes) know how to drive correctly.

As soon as I'm back on the main roads. Oh look there's an X5 driving up my backside.

As it would happen a pedestrian decided to step out so I had to brake hard, then I had to move into the unploughed outside lane to let the X5 slide past me. Fortunately the pedestrian had gotten out of the way.

X5 eventually stops, and I continue past in the unploughed lane and offer a quick gesture at him as I overtake.

He didn't tailgate after that.

Winter tyres aren't a substitute for driving properly, but they certainly help!

anewman

Don't get why people think a 4 x 4 instantly turns them into a driving god in the snow.

Flying-High_2

Usually common sense is the answer.....

diable

anewman wrote: »

Don't get why people in a 4 x 4 instantly turns them into a !!!!!! whilst driving in the snow.

fixed..........