PLEASE can we have a new offence...
Discussion
...of being a slowster in 0.1mm snow?
I'm certain that most of the problems on days like today when there's been a slight dusting of snow are caused by people without the confidence to drive up to a reasonable speed. The crawl up an A-road hill at like 10mph, big lorry comes up behind, slows down, starts to wheelspin and comes to a standstill maybe even jack-knifes.
Meanwhile the witless old duffer continues merrily on his way at a walking pace leaving the road behind blocked for hours.
If someone isn't able to drive to the conditions, they should at least get 3 points for causing mayhem. Surely?
SM
I'm certain that most of the problems on days like today when there's been a slight dusting of snow are caused by people without the confidence to drive up to a reasonable speed. The crawl up an A-road hill at like 10mph, big lorry comes up behind, slows down, starts to wheelspin and comes to a standstill maybe even jack-knifes.
Meanwhile the witless old duffer continues merrily on his way at a walking pace leaving the road behind blocked for hours.
If someone isn't able to drive to the conditions, they should at least get 3 points for causing mayhem. Surely?
SM
supermono said:
...of being a slowster in 0.1mm snow?
I'm certain that most of the problems on days like today when there's been a slight dusting of snow are caused by people without the confidence to drive up to a reasonable speed. The crawl up an A-road hill at like 10mph, big lorry comes up behind, slows down, starts to wheelspin and comes to a standstill maybe even jack-knifes.
Meanwhile the witless old duffer continues merrily on his way at a walking pace leaving the road behind blocked for hours.
If someone isn't able to drive to the conditions, they should at least get 3 points for causing mayhem. Surely?
SM
I'm certain that most of the problems on days like today when there's been a slight dusting of snow are caused by people without the confidence to drive up to a reasonable speed. The crawl up an A-road hill at like 10mph, big lorry comes up behind, slows down, starts to wheelspin and comes to a standstill maybe even jack-knifes.
Meanwhile the witless old duffer continues merrily on his way at a walking pace leaving the road behind blocked for hours.
If someone isn't able to drive to the conditions, they should at least get 3 points for causing mayhem. Surely?
SM
I think people are brainwashed in this country to equate "snow with dangerous".
But then .. they not very good at driving in their more normal rain either..
und not very good when hot und bothered in summer und as for f-f-f-ffog 
(und by "fog" .. that light little misty stuff which does not really compromise visibility ..probably better visibility than heavy downpour .. we have the full monty of blinding fog lamps .. und 5 mph Mr Magoo like drivin' They are usually male drivers
Mere Men
groomi said:
So how does a lorry jacknife at 10mph?
Well obviously I'm no lorry driver, but jacknifed or not it's been caused to come to a standstill by some feckwit and is now blocking the road.
A few years ago I had to travel up from Surrey to Norfolk through the snow that closed the M11 etc, and on the A10 alternative route. I saw it happen twice. Luckily I was driving my Vivaro van which had tremendous traction and I could keep up my momentum overtaking the obstacles including several duffers doing 10mph). That's when I witnessed first hand the real mayhem they wreak.
And I don't think the BBC help matters by bigging up what amounts to a bit of snow. They are giving confidence to these "steady as she goes" / "slower = safer" merchants.
SM
I think it depends how bad the snow is to be honest...
Around west london its turned into pretty bad slush which is getting stuck in the tread of tyres, the trouble with this is all you have to do is touch the brakes and you start slipping everywhere.
The amount of people I have seen tailgating this morning was a joke, perhaps this has something to do with the amount of motors I've also seen wedged on kerbs/bollards/other cars.
I agree with you though, I dont tend to agree with people going obscenely slow, but the most I got to was about 25mph this morning and that took careful planning so as I didnt have to brake at all but instead use the engine braking.
There are two extremes, those who go too fast, and those that won't get into double figures.
Around west london its turned into pretty bad slush which is getting stuck in the tread of tyres, the trouble with this is all you have to do is touch the brakes and you start slipping everywhere.
The amount of people I have seen tailgating this morning was a joke, perhaps this has something to do with the amount of motors I've also seen wedged on kerbs/bollards/other cars.
I agree with you though, I dont tend to agree with people going obscenely slow, but the most I got to was about 25mph this morning and that took careful planning so as I didnt have to brake at all but instead use the engine braking.
There are two extremes, those who go too fast, and those that won't get into double figures.
groomi said:
So how does a lorry jacknife at 10mph?
Happened to a relative of mine at walking pace on the A6 over Shap. He was stopping to ask a stranded motorist if they needed assistance, at about 4 mph he touched the brakes and round she came, narrowly missing a stranded car on the other side of the road.
Luckily no harm done apart from a bruised backside, as he fell straight on his arse when he got out to survey the damage.
freddytin said:
groomi said:
So how does a lorry jacknife at 10mph?
Happened to a relative of mine at walking pace on the A6 over Shap. He was stopping to ask a stranded motorist if they needed assistance, at about 4 mph he touched the brakes and round she came, narrowly missing a stranded car on the other side of the road.
What the fellow motorist... or his truck?
If you're not confident in it, don't go out in snow.
Fortunately many schools in Surrey were closed today so the mummies didn't have to tackle it. Still didn't help that the only Range Rover mummy I came across decided 15 was the best speed on a wet-only road, and needed fog lights on. err???
Plus, if you are "slow" then pull over every now and then and release the traffic behind you! The traffic following a milkfloat this morning didn't want to risk an overtake (since it would put them in the snow/slush in the middle of the road), so we all sat behind it for a couple of miles.
Fortunately many schools in Surrey were closed today so the mummies didn't have to tackle it. Still didn't help that the only Range Rover mummy I came across decided 15 was the best speed on a wet-only road, and needed fog lights on. err???
Plus, if you are "slow" then pull over every now and then and release the traffic behind you! The traffic following a milkfloat this morning didn't want to risk an overtake (since it would put them in the snow/slush in the middle of the road), so we all sat behind it for a couple of miles.
I overtook some old duffer this morning doing 15mph on slush and the four cars all bunched behind him. After I'd sailed past, a couple of the cars which were merrily trundling along behind him pulled out as well - it was almost as if I'd startled them out of their trance. Just a bit further along the road was a huge line of cars all going very slowly, so I overtook every single one of them and never hit 40mph.
I can understand taking extra care, but it was just silly this morning. A couple of inches of snow - I mean, really.
I can understand taking extra care, but it was just silly this morning. A couple of inches of snow - I mean, really.
This post reminds me of the old saying.
Anyone going faster then me is a bloody idiot, and anyone going slower than me shouldnt be on the road.
At some point in your motoring carer, you are probably holding someone up perhaps without knowing it, so dont be so quick to judge those whom you feel should be going faster.
How many "experienced" drivers, (or so they think) come a cropper in snow and slush???? Some years ago I was driving in the snow, at what I thought was a sensible speed, (only had 37 years driving experience, but what do I know), and a trucker was of the opinion that he could safely overtake me on the dual carriageway. It scared me to death as he sped past me at a speed I knew he would never be able to safely come to a stop should he need to. The snow I might add was still falling thus further reducing visibility.......
Take care out there dear readers.
Anyone going faster then me is a bloody idiot, and anyone going slower than me shouldnt be on the road.
At some point in your motoring carer, you are probably holding someone up perhaps without knowing it, so dont be so quick to judge those whom you feel should be going faster.
How many "experienced" drivers, (or so they think) come a cropper in snow and slush???? Some years ago I was driving in the snow, at what I thought was a sensible speed, (only had 37 years driving experience, but what do I know), and a trucker was of the opinion that he could safely overtake me on the dual carriageway. It scared me to death as he sped past me at a speed I knew he would never be able to safely come to a stop should he need to. The snow I might add was still falling thus further reducing visibility.......
Take care out there dear readers.
As BalmoralGreen said in another post -
<b>DO NOT GO OUT OR YOU WILL DIE !</b>
It does seem that this is what we are all led to believe now, whenever there is a bit of snow or the roads *could* be a little moist....
What is the world coming too ??!!
On a slightly different topic, I have heard stories of people going out over the last few days, panic buying in preparation for the world ending snow !!
<b>DO NOT GO OUT OR YOU WILL DIE !</b>
It does seem that this is what we are all led to believe now, whenever there is a bit of snow or the roads *could* be a little moist....
What is the world coming too ??!!
On a slightly different topic, I have heard stories of people going out over the last few days, panic buying in preparation for the world ending snow !!
Got stuck behind a nice new Discovery this morning, refusing to exceed 10mph on a gritted, wet-only road. Two other vehicles crawling along behind it no more than 10 feet apart.
If it's that slippy why are you so close; if it's not slippy such that a 10ft gap is safe (if it ever can be) why don't you pass? Grrr.
Then on a 3 lane NSL carriageway, no hazards, straight, gritted - 25mph en masse. And more tailgating.
I can't comprehend the thought process that equates it being slippery (even though it patently wasn't) and sitting right up the clacker of the car in front.
Best remedy is to pass the lot of 'em as rapidly as safely possible
If it's that slippy why are you so close; if it's not slippy such that a 10ft gap is safe (if it ever can be) why don't you pass? Grrr.
Then on a 3 lane NSL carriageway, no hazards, straight, gritted - 25mph en masse. And more tailgating.
I can't comprehend the thought process that equates it being slippery (even though it patently wasn't) and sitting right up the clacker of the car in front.
Best remedy is to pass the lot of 'em as rapidly as safely possible
I agree to a certain point, but i would rather these people would drive within their limits then crash at the sight of a corner, if they have to go out, otherwise if you don't have the confidence/ability to drive in snow then don't bother, at least i will get to where i want to go on time. But really lets face it if they never hit the speed limit when bone dry and 30oC then they are never going to get anywhere near it in snow.
You're right people should drive to their limits but frankly if drivers tailgate so closely in snowy conditions, I can only presume it's because they are scared and subconsciously huddling with others "safety in numbers".
Anyone leaving that sort of gap cos they're not comfortable in the conditions should have got a taxi, not subjected the rest of us to the consequences of their actions.
One terrified moment of stamping on a brake and it'd be carnage.
So I'd rather they stay off the road than make me have to avoid them and try to predict the practically unpredictable...
Anyone leaving that sort of gap cos they're not comfortable in the conditions should have got a taxi, not subjected the rest of us to the consequences of their actions.
One terrified moment of stamping on a brake and it'd be carnage.
So I'd rather they stay off the road than make me have to avoid them and try to predict the practically unpredictable...
I was going along today and an impatient van driver decides to overtake (after a bit of flashing and beeping, I dared to do 20 round a rounabout in a very slushy 40mph limit)
As the twit pulls out to overtake my rear end (rwd car, tyres past best but legal) comes right out into his path. Van driver meekly cancels overtaking manouver sharpish!
Point made I hope.
As the twit pulls out to overtake my rear end (rwd car, tyres past best but legal) comes right out into his path. Van driver meekly cancels overtaking manouver sharpish!
Point made I hope.
Before it get scribbled in the statute books,
There might be a sub-clause concerning
choice of radio station on at the time,
as in;
Radio Wogan plays too much Meluaesque slow paced
Radio local intersperses school closure reports with
similar toons (only lower still BPM)
I suspect a Jolt of Radio Jeune might in fact be just blast of cold air
to spur them on to greater Veloce
There might be a sub-clause concerning
choice of radio station on at the time,
as in;
Radio Wogan plays too much Meluaesque slow paced
Radio local intersperses school closure reports with
similar toons (only lower still BPM)
I suspect a Jolt of Radio Jeune might in fact be just blast of cold air
to spur them on to greater Veloce
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