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davis_squareOK. It's winter. It snows a lot in New England in the winter. Much like the sun setting and rising, it's a sure thing every winter. And yet, as each year progresses, driving during the winter gets worse. I blame it on the rising number of people who have never driven in the snow before. Every morning during or after a snow fall, on my way to work, I have slalomed my way around accidents and idiots who are about to cause an accident because they are deathly afraid of driving in the weather.
With that said,
+ Buy good tires. It'll cost less than paying through the nose for your insurance increase and deductibles after you hit someone b/c your tires suck.
+ CLEAN YOUR WINDOWS!!! This cannot be stressed enough. If you can't see, you will hit things. Brushes are cheap.
+ Keep your windshield washer fluid full. (This aids in window cleaning and thus, seeing)
+ Make sure that your defroster works. It too, will help you see.
If you can't drive in snow, have never driven in snow or are afraid to drive in snow (but do it anyway) here are some ideas to help:
Take your car to the nearest empty lot at night and practice. Learn how much it takes to make your car start to slide; learn how to counter steer when your car starts to slide; learn what your braking time and distance is on snow. Don't be afraid of the car - you will crash if you jerk the wheel. Driving on snowy roads requires a feather light touch. If you're used to your vehicle and it's reactions, you won't be scared when it happens and you'll be able to correct a spin or slide without getting hurt or hitting anyone.
Never look anywhere other than where you want to go. Focus only on where you want the car to move, not to what's going on in the ditch. That's how people end up in ditches on snowy roads. And for the love of God, don't ride on the corner of the tractor trailer in the next lane. PASS IT. The faster you get past the truck, the faster you'll be away from the truck.
You know, I'm not afraid of the winter weather. I AM afraid of people who don't take the time to learn how to safely and effectively drive in it. With that number growing exponentially in this area, my nerves are shot. If these tips fail, take public transportation until spring. Your fellow motorists lives aren't worth it.
I just had to share. Sorry. Flame away if you're so inclined.
With that said,
+ Buy good tires. It'll cost less than paying through the nose for your insurance increase and deductibles after you hit someone b/c your tires suck.
+ CLEAN YOUR WINDOWS!!! This cannot be stressed enough. If you can't see, you will hit things. Brushes are cheap.
+ Keep your windshield washer fluid full. (This aids in window cleaning and thus, seeing)
+ Make sure that your defroster works. It too, will help you see.
If you can't drive in snow, have never driven in snow or are afraid to drive in snow (but do it anyway) here are some ideas to help:
Take your car to the nearest empty lot at night and practice. Learn how much it takes to make your car start to slide; learn how to counter steer when your car starts to slide; learn what your braking time and distance is on snow. Don't be afraid of the car - you will crash if you jerk the wheel. Driving on snowy roads requires a feather light touch. If you're used to your vehicle and it's reactions, you won't be scared when it happens and you'll be able to correct a spin or slide without getting hurt or hitting anyone.
Never look anywhere other than where you want to go. Focus only on where you want the car to move, not to what's going on in the ditch. That's how people end up in ditches on snowy roads. And for the love of God, don't ride on the corner of the tractor trailer in the next lane. PASS IT. The faster you get past the truck, the faster you'll be away from the truck.
You know, I'm not afraid of the winter weather. I AM afraid of people who don't take the time to learn how to safely and effectively drive in it. With that number growing exponentially in this area, my nerves are shot. If these tips fail, take public transportation until spring. Your fellow motorists lives aren't worth it.
I just had to share. Sorry. Flame away if you're so inclined.
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no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 08:09 pm (UTC)Anyhow, this is a good, helpful post for Mass. drivers (of which I am not one, but as a pedestrian I sure hope people will read it!)
no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 11:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 08:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 11:23 pm (UTC)I had my fill this morning. What can I say?
no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 08:35 pm (UTC)YES! yes yes yes. This goes double for tractor-trailers.
no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 10:49 pm (UTC)I've never seen anyone do that before this winter. Wondered if it was a new craze or something...
no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 10:53 pm (UTC)...i never remember to do that. >.< i always clean off the headlights but never the taillights. thanks for reminding me!
no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 08:17 pm (UTC)you posted some excellent info - you should post it to a larger Boston group as well.
:)
no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 11:34 pm (UTC)And, thank you.
no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 08:34 pm (UTC)I would add though - that since we're on the topic, a "winter safety bag" should be an essential for anyone that commutes more than a few miles to work.
I have in mine:
jumper cables
a gallon of water
a large flashlight
rope
a blanket
a first aid kit
You never know when you might be stranded!
no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 09:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 09:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 11:37 pm (UTC)Some additions:
Canned food
Manual Can opener
Bright ribbons, material or chem lites (to tie to a potentially protruding portion of your vehicle should you find yourself in the snow and getting covered)
Spare batteries
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
no subject
Date: 2005-01-13 12:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-13 12:15 am (UTC)Like we say - "The only reason we're telling you this is because someone did it." Or, in some cases, didn't do it.
no subject
Date: 2005-01-13 01:14 am (UTC)And yeah, people really just don't take disaster preparedness seriously. I've had enough freaky shit happen to me in my life that I can't chance things NOT happening.
Of course, there are always the disaster-nuts...but we'll ignore them. They're statistically insignificant.
btw, what exactly do you do for work? sounds morbidly fascinating.
no subject
Date: 2005-01-13 11:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-13 05:35 pm (UTC)I waved to your building this morning on my way to mine. : P
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Date: 2005-01-12 08:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 10:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 10:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-13 12:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-13 02:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 11:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-13 12:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-13 12:18 am (UTC)Important message from a snow plow driver
Date: 2005-01-12 10:49 pm (UTC)This is my first winter driving a pickup truck, and I've got a plow mounted on it. I can't believe how many
IDIOTSpeople out there don't realise that I'm wider than they are, or how much longer it takes me to slow down or stop! Not to mention the thing is painted bright orange: CAUTION GET OUT OF THE WAY!Oh, and I'm not one of those jerks who thinks he owns the road, either. Having recently come from driving a car, I'm quite aware of both sides.
no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 10:51 pm (UTC)If you happen to have a 4WD vehicle, great, you can get out of places and slide less while driving, but unless you downshift (ie, engine braking) to slow down, it doesn't mean squat when you're braking.
no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 11:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-13 11:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-13 01:04 am (UTC)damn straight. I drive an SUV and I drive as carefully, if not more, than when I drove a two-wheel-drive, non anitlock brakes Ford Tempo.
no subject
Date: 2005-01-13 11:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 11:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-12 11:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-13 03:54 am (UTC)