Venting Frustration - For Those Who Drive...

[bombardiette.livejournal.com]

OK. 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.

Comments

[bluepapercup]

I basically drive for a living - I commute between 500 and 2000 miles a month for work, and I have seen a LOT of bad driving. You make some very clear, excellently stated points, and I couldn't agree with you more. As to the comments added above, you're all right on!

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!

[localhost127.livejournal.com]

Doesn't the water freeze and make a mess? What do you keep it in?

[bluepapercup]

A plastic gallon jug seems to work fine, the kind you get for $1.69 at the 7-11. It's very flexible plastic and doesn't get brittle enough to crack.

[bombardiette.livejournal.com]

Given that my profession is: Major accident, natural disaster (re: SNOW), nuclear accident and WMD response - let me just say, THANK YOU. You are the first person I've heard of in ages who actually has a disaster kit in their car.

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.

[ah42.livejournal.com]

Huh... I thought a lot of this stuff was common sense. The only thing I don't have is the canned food. Everything else I've either needed or wanted at some point. And I've never broken down or been in an accident!

[bombardiette.livejournal.com]

You would think that it would be common sense, but...
Like we say - "The only reason we're telling you this is because someone did it." Or, in some cases, didn't do it.

[bluepapercup]

you're welcome. I actually have some of that stuff in the car already for my job, orange surveyor's tape, tools, batteries. I hadn't thought about the food, but it's worth considering.

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.

[bombardiette.livejournal.com]

Just remember, I'll be the one freezing my ass off, advising the commander to get the civilians off the base ASAP. That is, if the union rep doesn't pitch a fit and beat us to the punch! : D

[bombardiette.livejournal.com]

Aw, come on. You know it!
I waved to your building this morning on my way to mine. : P