Why can nobody drive in the snow
Discussion
Welshbeef said:
Because it’s extremely infrequent - no one is taught how to drive in the snow to pass the test.
Not that many all wheel drive cars
Not that many with winter tyres on
What makes OP think he is superior to others in snow driving? Strong position to take vs you try to get home safely
Three years in North America, winters in Ukraine, Russia, Sweden. In the 80’s we still had a good amount of snow in the UK.Not that many all wheel drive cars
Not that many with winter tyres on
What makes OP think he is superior to others in snow driving? Strong position to take vs you try to get home safely
It’s not being superior, it’s paying attention to the conditions.
Sa Calobra said:
It has nothing to do with we only get a few days a year of snow a year.
UK drivers aren't very good. Apart from the test at 17 there's no further education, none.
Drive on any motorway on bank holidays and you'll see how scary it is.
Which countries beyond passing the driving test have further education/development and testing ?UK drivers aren't very good. Apart from the test at 17 there's no further education, none.
Drive on any motorway on bank holidays and you'll see how scary it is.
For HGVs the test is often in the UK
Uk driving standards poor without snow with the added "pressure" of it people seem to just fall apart.
As stated though tyre selection is so important, currently running Yokohama Geolandars on my little Jeep. Their great tyre's for snow grip in fact they probably inspire a little to much confidence
As stated though tyre selection is so important, currently running Yokohama Geolandars on my little Jeep. Their great tyre's for snow grip in fact they probably inspire a little to much confidence
Shakermaker said:
I rather put it down to the fact that we don't get regular enough snow here in the UK for people to get used to driving in it properly.
One or two days a year at most, and in fact, several years where it doesn't snow at all in vast parts of the country, so people can easily go many years without having to do it at all.
That's like saying "People who have not had a house fire cannot be expected to know what to do"One or two days a year at most, and in fact, several years where it doesn't snow at all in vast parts of the country, so people can easily go many years without having to do it at all.
Driving in ice and snow is hardly rocket science - simply requires a degree of interest in driving properly and common sense - sadly both are qualities sadly lacking in most drivers.
Yesterday in Shropshire I'd say 49% of drivers were panic stricken and crawling along at 10-15mph, 49% totally ignored the conditions and were driving as they normally would, only a few appeared to be driving sensibly and to the conditions
Andy665 said:
Yesterday in Shropshire I'd say 49% of drivers were panic stricken and crawling along at 10-15mph, 49% totally ignored the conditions and were driving as they normally would, only a few appeared to be driving sensibly and to the conditions
How few in percentage terms, would you say?Schmed said:
Why can nobody drive in the snow ? Because in the UK they're all running on summer tyres...
Surprised you're not out on your bike Yonex in these conditions causing yet more congestion.
I passed my test in the autumn that preceded the worst winter in living memory in the Home Counties in 1962/63. My 1947 Morris Ten Series M had just tyres - not winter, not summer, not even radial ply but 17" and narrow. Never got stuck and even helped a bloke with a large Rover (90 maybe) with wider tyres get out of a car park in Ealing Broadway by towing his car. The snow was on the ground until March in the west London area and although there was much less traffic, the road surfaces were inferior, cars cruder, and driver aids unheard of, but everyone got to work. What to glean from this? I don't know except that tyres are now stupidly wide and will not cut through the snow so readily, and aquaplane on wet roads.Surprised you're not out on your bike Yonex in these conditions causing yet more congestion.
motco said:
I passed my test in the autumn that preceded the worst winter in living memory in the Home Counties in 1962/63.
Nah!The winters of 1944 and 1947 were worse than 1963.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_of_1946%E2%80...
f1nn said:
It’s really not that hard.
Slow down, leave more space for stopping distances and between you and other vehicles, and be smooth and consistent with your control inputs.
I really don’t see what the fuss is about.
Humans are basically pack animals - show any weakness and you'll be singled out and killed by lions. Fast forward a few thousand years and that instinct is still to not show any weakness. Driving sensibly in your white BMW, Audi or van may mean you'll be separated from the pack. Thankfully some of us have lost this instinct.Slow down, leave more space for stopping distances and between you and other vehicles, and be smooth and consistent with your control inputs.
I really don’t see what the fuss is about.
I live in a little rural yorkshire village, its really high up. the main road approaching it is so steep, its covered in that beige tarmac for traction.
there is also a lethal "S" bend on it.
in this weather you can have hours of fun watching BMW's and Audi's stuffing themselves into the woods/dry stone walls surrounding it. Fortunately there's no housing adjacent to be hit.
My point, the steepness, imminent danger, iceyness is no surprise to anyone using it. But easily in 99% cases, its driver error, assuming their amazing cars can easily handle it. guess what, its always the same brand of car !!
top fun.
there is also a lethal "S" bend on it.
in this weather you can have hours of fun watching BMW's and Audi's stuffing themselves into the woods/dry stone walls surrounding it. Fortunately there's no housing adjacent to be hit.
My point, the steepness, imminent danger, iceyness is no surprise to anyone using it. But easily in 99% cases, its driver error, assuming their amazing cars can easily handle it. guess what, its always the same brand of car !!
top fun.
A poster mentioned abs no good on snow, it's not, in the early days of abs, cars often had a switch so you could turn it off for those conditions when you're better off without it, but then drivers might forget to turn it back on again with litigation risks for the manufacturer, so the switch was removed.
A poster also observed that his 4wd had no more grip than a colleagues 2wd playing in the car park. Correct, 4wd gives you extra traction but no extra grip. Grip is always the same no matter which wheels are driven or how many of them are driven.
A poster also observed that his 4wd had no more grip than a colleagues 2wd playing in the car park. Correct, 4wd gives you extra traction but no extra grip. Grip is always the same no matter which wheels are driven or how many of them are driven.
The Mad Monk said:
motco said:
I passed my test in the autumn that preceded the worst winter in living memory in the Home Counties in 1962/63.
Nah!The winters of 1944 and 1947 were worse than 1963.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_of_1946%E2%80...
Dr Doofenshmirtz said:
f1nn said:
It’s really not that hard.
Slow down, leave more space for stopping distances and between you and other vehicles, and be smooth and consistent with your control inputs.
I really don’t see what the fuss is about.
Humans are basically pack animals - show any weakness and you'll be singled out and killed by lions. Fast forward a few thousand years and that instinct is still to not show any weakness. Driving sensibly in your white BMW, Audi or van may mean you'll be separated from the pack. Thankfully some of us have lost this instinct.Slow down, leave more space for stopping distances and between you and other vehicles, and be smooth and consistent with your control inputs.
I really don’t see what the fuss is about.
I do a lot of driving and enjoy driving in winter conditions, the other day had to drive from Scarborough to ainthorpe in the middle of the North Yorkshire moors! Roads were light dusting of snow and ice! Many times in my golf gti going down slopes all 4 wheels were locked sliding down then powering up the inclines! Through fords! Absolute great fun imo! We do a lot of business on the moors so I always go equipped with shovels ratchet straps and other stuff but my gti pp is just so perfect tbh
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