driving on ice

[bigdazz]

http://www.weeklygripe.co.uk/a829.asp


Most of the country has had a large amount of snow over the past couple of weeks and driving conditions have been poor at best, so why is it that some people are just so bad at adapting their driving to the conditions? Driving in snow and icy weather requires different skills and more concentration than driving in normal weather.

Going to work over the last couple of days I've encountered numerous drivers that don't have their lights on in poor lighting conditions, are driving too fast in icy weather. But one of the worst things I have seen are the number of people that take their car out without clearing their windows and lights properly. This is quite beyond me! It only takes about 10 -15 minutes extra of a morning to do this so why do people risk theirs and others safety by not giving themselves adequate visibility?

icy weather brings out the worst in some drvers

[Trugga]

Also, just because the give way lines on the road are covered in snow, does not mean they are not there.

Oh, and evon though I am driving a 4x4 it does not mean it is neccessarily safe for you to pull out of a side road into my path and expect me to stop easily.

Lawrence

[furball]

The bit that gets me is when they clear the snow off thier windscreen and ignore the several inches on the bonnet/roof. Then they go on the motorway with massive snow/ice balls flying off the back of the car. I wouldn't be surprised if it causes a number of accidents every year.

I have just got back from a night shift in Skegness. The number of people who just don't understand the importance of driving slow and smooth in slippery conditions and using the engine to slow down, giving yourself plenty of time to do it. I got stuck behind a young girl in a fiesta coming down the A16 and in the end I had to (very carefully) overtake her because her driving was so erratic and unpredictable I would have ended up crashing into the back of her even though I was trying very hard to leave a decent gap.

Although I appreciate my perspective is a little skewed due to the mileage I do.

[Frenchfarmer]

Back on my Soap Box here.
Driving should be a part of school education so that those who want to learn it can do so.
Most kids can't afford the lessons these days so a lot of them don't get a licence but drive anyway.
The chance of getting a job if you have few qualifications and no Driving Licence these days are slim to say the least.
If kids are going to nick cars it would save everyone a shed load of money and pain if the thief knew how to drive.
Yes I would include a skid pan and I think the test should include one too.
As for the no lights bit....Have you noticed that the majority of "No lights till they can't see the road" mob are driving almost invisible coloured cars. It's like they don't want to draw attention to themselves or something.
I think it's a mental condition. All the really bright coloured cars seem to put theirs on if a cloud covers the sun ie. attention seekers.

[bigdazz]

[Drift]

Dont let your Mrs drive the car in the winter she spun the Picasso and hit a fence this morning .............Arrrrgghhhhh

She will not listen, each bloody winter she leaves a trail of destruction

[bobbinsjob]

Is Lee ok? Is she able to pay for the damage

[Drift]

Didnt I get an earful when I asked what the car was like first

She is a woman so god knows what a scratch is like she should be home in 40 minutes as long as everyone gets out of her way,

[Nottingham]

well guys, not being the booo man here but England must be the worst prepared country for this sort of wonderful conditions, i've ever known.

People always laught at me, when I started talking about Winter Tyres, preparing the Car well in advance, driving with the Engine rather than with a heavy foot - it's ever so funny to watch people trying the get up the little hill in front of my house - the road is completetly covered with ice but slick summer tyres, the engine at 6000rpm and the clutch screaming seems to be the perfect solution - how to wrack your car

Not much better are all those mega expensive 4x4 cruisers - they all think, it can't catch them out until the realize that it is harder than it looks because they haven't got a clue how to transfer the power onto the road.

Anyway, hope you all have a safe journey and as said above, be patient and plan a bit more time to get where ever you have to go. Drive safely and look forward to seeing you guys soon

[Drift]

Ello stranger, good to see you back

Your sooo right about this country, just because we had 10 or 12 years of mild winters the whole system goes to pot, embarrassing really

[chrisgg90]

Yep was in Glasgow tonight and the snow came on pretty thick and fast. My Girlfriend is a pretty good driver so wasn't to bothered sitting there with my broken leg wishing we were in my fronty and me driving

We were driving along taking our time not much traction when some clown in a sprinter van overtakes and drives like a complete nob, well you can imagine the outcome no damage done but

[dave1966]

Hi all.

The worse thing I hate is some drivers (but not all drivers) sitting almost on your bloody towbar in this
weather and people driving with their bloody side lights on and not indicating. I wonder if they get their
licence out of a lucky bag.

[4x4 bobby]

The worse thing I hate is some drivers (but not all drivers) sitting almost on your bloody towbar in this
weather and people driving with their bloody side lights on and not indicating. I wonder if they get their
licence out of a lucky bag. [/quote


New drivers are not taught the importance of using there head lights in poor weather and the amount of vehicle that are a colour that can hardly be seen when it gets bad weather is incredible. I hate people driving on side lights as they arnt worth the trouble. They only got to go one more bloody position on the switch!!!!!!
Well Rant over, Safe motoring people!!!!!

[furball]

Aparently there are plans for the Police to start fining people with more than 3 inches of snow on their roof. I say make it 1 inch tops.

Got a right look off a bloke in an Astra in Leeds yesterday as he struggled to get out of a snow covered car park, slipping and sliding with his wheels spinning all over the place while I put the transit in gear and then just let the clutch out without touching the accelerator and trundled slowly out without any problems.

[4x4 bobby]

Its a case of knowing what your doin furball shame others dont know how to do it!! Well done mate for showin him White Van man strikes again!!!

[si_hoss]

A guy here at work yesterday was saying how on a country lane he trundled past a ditched Land Rover Defender with a smashed up wing, saying "it's the best 4x4 in the road and somehow it's in a hedge!". I pointed out however good the car is if the driver isn't up to it.....! Saying that, he's just got a 320d estate, his first rear wheel drive car and even he made it past the Landy lol.

I didn't bother mentioning tyres and grip....

[Frenchfarmer]

http://www.liveleak.com/e/7e3_1291161254
Great music too!

[Ross]

The driving without lights really is the worst. I think what causes this is that modern cars have illuminated dash boards all the time and the street lights are quite bright, I noticed this in my new works van the other night.