[Vincine]

To those whose kids are without much winter driving experience, you might want to share this with them . . . or you might not (00:30 sec):

http://rmirror.net/r/videos/comments/q5hu9/car_accident_nsfl/

[bkt]

Knowing the limits of your vehicle and sensing road conditions come with experience. Even with those things, you can get screwed if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time. Terrible video, but good to show for kids who are new to driving. I have a son who needs to see this. Thanks.

[downsouth]

I just sent it to my daughter who got her lic last week. Thanks for the link.

[Jeepergeo]

I's amazing how many other drivers get pulled into an accident, and affected by it. The two trucks, and anyone that stopped to help. This was really tragic...it did not look like they were screwing around...perhaps just a moment of inattention caused them to drift and over-correct.

[yingpin]

That is really scary! It just goes to show you that it does not take much to change or end your life. I am assuming that the SUV passengers did not make it and I am sure that everyone involved has been affected by this. WOW

[Vincine]

Originally Posted by Jeepergeo

. . perhaps just a moment of inattention caused them to drift and over-correct.

Looked to me they changed lanes and then speeded up to pass the truck, causing the directional momentum/tire adhesion dynamics to change. And then the over-correction. Lesson? Don't try to pass trucks on sloppy roads.

[downsouth]

Originally Posted by Vincine

Looked to me they changed lanes and then speeded up to pass the truck, causing the directional momentum/tire adhesion dynamics to change. And then the over-correction. Lesson? Don't try to pass trucks on sloppy roads.

Yes, and if things go bad on slick surface, let off the gas. Most times that will begin the correction and will be all that's needed.

[BlueTurf]

Around here we seem to have a lot of drivers who moved from somewhere where there is no snow. They totally freak out and start doing some dumb things when there is snow coming down. Cars are bumper to bumper and slowed down to about 5 to 10 miles per hour. If they would allow extra distance between cars they could be going 20 mph or more and still be safe. We also see people with 4WD acting like they own the road. They don't seem to get it that the 4WD doesn't help them stop on slick roads, and we see them plowing into the rear ends of stopped vehicles. Driving on slick roads requires extra caution all the way around.

[downsouth]

This story reminds me of a MUCH lighter one about myself. In the early 80's we got about 4" of snow on the ground. It was a saturday and early, was on my way to work. The road had packed snow, I was driving a malibu station wagon. The light changed from green to red and I needed to stop. I pulled the gear shift on the collum from drive to d2 then d1 and applied the brake ever so slightly. As I was doing this I could feel the rear wheels slowing me down and also keeping me straight. I thought I had a plan for this winter driving.

The next morning on the way to work, conditions were the same. I'll be dogged if that same light didn't catch me again. No problem, I down shift the auto transmission into D2. Before I knew what happened I had done 3 complete 360's and stopped in the same lane in perfect position to be stopped at the light. After gathering my senses, It dawned on me. I'm in my wifes pontiac 6000, a front wheel drive car! Duh

[Vincine]

Originally Posted by BlueTurf

. . . They don't seem to get it that the 4WD doesn't help them stop on slick roads, and we see them plowing into the rear ends of stopped vehicles. . .

We get some of those drivers too.

Without wanting to make light of the tragedy recorded in the video;

Up here we say that the benefit of 4WD over 2WD, is that 4WD allows you to get hopelessly stuck much further off the road then if you only had 2WD.