Snow-vertakers
Discussion
Did you see anyone crash in the snow by going too fast for the conditions?
I sat at 30mph behind the only other car on the motorway for miles today through a twisty downhill section with the outside lane snow-covered. The inside lane, however, was absolutely clear and free of both snow and ice.
Did I want to do more than 30? Yes
Was it dangerous to do so? No
Did I pass at the first safe opportunity? You bet.
I sat at 30mph behind the only other car on the motorway for miles today through a twisty downhill section with the outside lane snow-covered. The inside lane, however, was absolutely clear and free of both snow and ice.
Did I want to do more than 30? Yes
Was it dangerous to do so? No
Did I pass at the first safe opportunity? You bet.
HustleRussell said:
That's better. Doesn't involve a dreary journey and righteous indignation...carreauchompeur said:
That's better. Doesn't involve a dreary journey and righteous indignation...
Well, I'm certainly not rising to that one!What I meant was - something you filmed yourself on Friday.
If you haven't got anything then that's fine, there's plenty of other threads on here for you.
P.S. My journey wasn't dreary at all.
AnotherGareth said:
Do you have inappropriate tyres? Perhaps the other drivers had more forethought ...
I've noticed that some drivers with the wrong tyres don't like being overtaken.
I really don't understand the competitive attitude in the 'wrong tyres' vs 'right tyres' debate. I'm in the 'wrong tyres' camp at the moment, and if someone wants to overtake me then fair play, they have better traction. Hasn't happened yet but I expect it would if I drove on the main roads more.I've noticed that some drivers with the wrong tyres don't like being overtaken.
HustleRussell said:
AnotherGareth said:
Do you have inappropriate tyres?
I really don't understand the competitive attitude in the 'wrong tyres' vs 'right tyres' debate.A couple of years ago I was telling my brother about my driving experiences on snow and ice and as a result, last January, he bought a second set of wheels and winter tyres. This was pretty much after all the snow had cleared in his part of the country, so there were only the days where an early morning frost had made the roads slippery. Yesterday he got in touch to say how wonderful the tyres were!
He'd been able to continue his normal life when many drivers were abandoning their cars. He even found that firm braking worked without drama on untreated roads. His wife was also benefiting - some years ago she'd had a major fright going down a hill in winter when she found the wheels had locked. Yesterday was the first time since that she'd been willing to drive on snow and ice, after finding out first hand what a difference winter tyres could make.
FWIW I find I have to keep on reminding myself that the driver in front it probably struggling in the conditions even when, to me, it feels like there is plenty of grip available. I generally just hold back and wait for a safe over-taking opportunity. I imagine that some of the drivers being over-taken in these conditions struggle to comprehend that with winter tyres they could be travelling 20-30 mph faster.
AnotherGareth said:
FWIW I find I have to keep on reminding myself that the driver in front it probably struggling in the conditions even when, to me, it feels like there is plenty of grip available. I generally just hold back and wait for a safe over-taking opportunity. I imagine that some of the drivers being over-taken in these conditions struggle to comprehend that with winter tyres they could be travelling 20-30 mph faster.
Indeed. All this week people have been crawling about at 5-10mph faster than what they believe is the fastest safe speed for them. Holding their steering wheel in a white-knuckled death-grip, there's no way on earth they're going to direct their wide-eyes away from the brakelights of the car in front (curiously, despite the "perilous" conditions, braking distances are actually reduced - the huddle-together approach I guess) to see that there's an empty lane or two to their left. Besides, they're already doing more than is safe. Nobody can go any faster and anybody who thinks they can is a dangerous lunatic that needs to be prevented from doing so for their own safety.Sarcasm overload ends. Sorry, it's been a touch trying.
Cheers, Jim
Some people are over-cautious (the OP, perhaps?). I have noticed that although the treated roads were free from snow and ice last night, people are still driving much slower than on the road in wet conditions just because it 'looks' snowy on the edges and borders etc. I overtook a Jeep last night which was travelling at 25mph max on a 40 limit country road (single carriageway). I'd rather not have to overtake on such a narrow road in such conditions but to my surprise Jeep driver kept left, maintained speed and dipped his headlights as I passed.
If winter tyres instil confidence and allow mobility where otherwise it would've been impossible, then great. So far I've been able to make do.
If winter tyres instil confidence and allow mobility where otherwise it would've been impossible, then great. So far I've been able to make do.
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