RE: The gritters have escaped
Wednesday 24th January 2007
GritterWatch your nose: with the wintry weather blanketing the country, the Highways Agency has announced that the gritters are out, spreading the stuff that just loves to pepper your car's front end with buckshot.
The gritters have escaped
Front-ends at risk as snow blankets roads
Gritter
The agency has issued the following advice: "The Met Office is forecasting further snow and ice for north east, eastern and south east England for the next 24 hours. More than one hundred gritters, of its total fleet of 400 gritters, have been used to keep motorways and major routes clear of snow and ice in the south and east.
"Gritters were out last night and during the early hours of this morning on all motorways affected by the severe weather. The wintry weather is expected to continue overnight tonight and into tomorrow.
"The Highways Agency reminds drivers to take extra care on the roads. Drivers are advised to check for up-to-date information on weather and road conditions before they set off, and to listen to radio bulletins during their journey."
Discussion
Why people in this country don't fit winter tyres is beyond me. I put mine on in November and they'll probably be on until March.
Nobody (RAC etc.) seems to be promoting this basic message. It's the single most important thing to do if driving in these conditions. It's also cost effective since it saves the wear on your summer tyres so they last longer too.
Nobody (RAC etc.) seems to be promoting this basic message. It's the single most important thing to do if driving in these conditions. It's also cost effective since it saves the wear on your summer tyres so they last longer too.
Because most people can't afford a complete second set of wheels and tyres, don't have room to store them, and we only get about 3 snowy days a year in which they'll make any real difference - the rest of the time we're all stuck in the traffic doing 30 anyway, so winter tyres (even if they good in the cold and rain) make no effective difference to our progress (or lack of).
Remember, most people only do the slow work commute for most of the year - any other driving makes up very little of the distance covered, and even that is usually to Tesco and back.
There is little to be gained for most people in having winter tyres at all, and certainly not a second set sat idle for most of the year, although I'm sure it's nice if you can afford it.
Remember, most people only do the slow work commute for most of the year - any other driving makes up very little of the distance covered, and even that is usually to Tesco and back.
There is little to be gained for most people in having winter tyres at all, and certainly not a second set sat idle for most of the year, although I'm sure it's nice if you can afford it.
Edited by jimsupersix on Wednesday 24th January 12:46
jimsupersix said:
we only get about 3 snowy days a year in which they'll make any real difference -
Edited by jimsupersix on Wednesday 24th January 12:46
Actually that's the problem in the UK, most don't understand the reason for winter tyres. They are NOT just for snow. Their main purpose is in wet conditions at or below +7C. They provide far more grip when below this temperature , especially when the road is wet but also when it is dry. The efficiency of normal summer tyres drops off dramatically below this temp.
Most people in Northern Germany which has a similar climate to the south of the UK (not much snow) fit winter tyres between October and April. If you're involved in an accident and you don't have them fitted, you can be liable just for that fact.
Over here (in Germany) garages store sets of winter wheels over the summer for a nominal fee (and summer wheels over the winter) and it all works very well. This is also the same for Austria and probably other continental countries.
I'm just imagining Mrs Patently's face as I explain I'd like to buy 12 new wheels & tyres and store the summer ones somewhere ... her hand is twitching .... it's opening a drawer .... yes, she's taking our the rolling pin .... ow ow ow
Now I'm imagining explaining to my local garage that I'd like him to store 12 wheels for me over the year .... he's smiling .... he's rubbing his hands .... ooh look he's calling his bank manager with the good news ....
It's a great idea but it will only work if everyone does it. And why should officialdom encourage us? - they know that we'd all be 100% safe if only we'd slow down a bit.
Now I'm imagining explaining to my local garage that I'd like him to store 12 wheels for me over the year .... he's smiling .... he's rubbing his hands .... ooh look he's calling his bank manager with the good news ....
It's a great idea but it will only work if everyone does it. And why should officialdom encourage us? - they know that we'd all be 100% safe if only we'd slow down a bit.
One of the problems is getting winter tyres here. I'd consider a set of 205/45/16s for the Fabia, but there are few available.
As posted earlier, winter tyres perform better than normal tyres as the temperature drops below about 7C. Ok, you have to buy and store them, but the cost will be not much more than your insurance excess, never mind all the hassle and inconvenience.
No, the numpties would still drive around on bald tyres, just as they do the rest of the year. However, the enthusiasts and the intelligent would reap the benefits
As posted earlier, winter tyres perform better than normal tyres as the temperature drops below about 7C. Ok, you have to buy and store them, but the cost will be not much more than your insurance excess, never mind all the hassle and inconvenience.
rico said:
I'd imagine that numpties would fit winter tyres, then drive as they would in dry conditions and thus more likely to crash.
No, the numpties would still drive around on bald tyres, just as they do the rest of the year. However, the enthusiasts and the intelligent would reap the benefits
Edited by renny on Wednesday 24th January 14:06
Podie said:
pugs9000 said:
But with global warming on its way faster then ever, in say... 2 years there will be no need for any gritters, winter tyres etc.
Not Global Warming anymore though... it's Climate Change...
Thanks for correcting me Podie, i just can't keep up with this government, it seems like only yesterday the fuss was all about the hole in the ozone layer. Any way, if people are careful enough with a good quality set of normal tyres and drive sensible in snow & ice etc, then most accidents could be avoided, how people think they can drive as they do in these conditions as they do in summer is beyond me- maybe again its down to experience & attitude.
Ashok said:
Why people in this country don't fit winter tyres is beyond me. I put mine on in November and they'll probably be on until March.
Nobody (RAC etc.) seems to be promoting this basic message. It's the single most important thing to do if driving in these conditions. It's also cost effective since it saves the wear on your summer tyres so they last longer too.
Nobody (RAC etc.) seems to be promoting this basic message. It's the single most important thing to do if driving in these conditions. It's also cost effective since it saves the wear on your summer tyres so they last longer too.
If people just drove sensibly they'd be fine. I've driven home in 3in deep snow and over compacted ice many times on T1-S and Eagle F1's type tyres... yes the clog up easily and have little grip, but HOW fast do you want to go when the conditions are that poor anyway?
Putting winter tyres on protects numpties from their ignorance, but it'd likely just result in faster accidents as they go quicker before their tyres let go...
Dave
A good sensible choice of tyres should suffice all year round. I live in an area where we would be expected to get a lot more of the white stuff and ice than others (Brecon Beacons).
We have had very little snow over the past few years although we have had low temperatures that, would cause ice patches on the roads.
As long as you drive to the road/weather conditions a sensible choice of tyres is good enough. If it snows heavily then, I'll stay at home given the fact that my vehicle along with her indoors vehicle are both rear wheel drive.
We have had very little snow over the past few years although we have had low temperatures that, would cause ice patches on the roads.
As long as you drive to the road/weather conditions a sensible choice of tyres is good enough. If it snows heavily then, I'll stay at home given the fact that my vehicle along with her indoors vehicle are both rear wheel drive.
Mr Whippy said:
Ashok said:
Why people in this country don't fit winter tyres is beyond me. I put mine on in November and they'll probably be on until March.
Nobody (RAC etc.) seems to be promoting this basic message. It's the single most important thing to do if driving in these conditions. It's also cost effective since it saves the wear on your summer tyres so they last longer too.
Nobody (RAC etc.) seems to be promoting this basic message. It's the single most important thing to do if driving in these conditions. It's also cost effective since it saves the wear on your summer tyres so they last longer too.
If people just drove sensibly they'd be fine. I've driven home in 3in deep snow and over compacted ice many times on T1-S and Eagle F1's type tyres... yes the clog up easily and have little grip, but HOW fast do you want to go when the conditions are that poor anyway?
Putting winter tyres on protects numpties from their ignorance, but it'd likely just result in faster accidents as they go quicker before their tyres let go...
Dave
so most people in continental Europe who drive are 'numpties from their ignorance'?
er, I don't think so. Driving standard in most European countries is higher and they use their heads in the winter by fitting equipment appropriate for the conditions.
All that needs to happen in teh UK is for the greedy garages to allow sets of winter wheels to be stored at a nominal price, as on the continent. Why can it be done there and not in the UK?
Edited by silver993tt on Wednesday 24th January 14:33
When it snows just fit a set of chains or some of those snow socks. For the little time we have snow that would be a much cheaper option. They are quick to put on, and very easy to store at home or carry in the car. When my Toyo's get warmed up they are great on a cold and wet winter day, but bloody hopeless in the snow.
So...i just drive slowly while the numpty in the 2CV overtakes me in deep snow
So...i just drive slowly while the numpty in the 2CV overtakes me in deep snow
silver993tt said:
Mr Whippy said:
Ashok said:
Why people in this country don't fit winter tyres is beyond me. I put mine on in November and they'll probably be on until March.
Nobody (RAC etc.) seems to be promoting this basic message. It's the single most important thing to do if driving in these conditions. It's also cost effective since it saves the wear on your summer tyres so they last longer too.
Nobody (RAC etc.) seems to be promoting this basic message. It's the single most important thing to do if driving in these conditions. It's also cost effective since it saves the wear on your summer tyres so they last longer too.
If people just drove sensibly they'd be fine. I've driven home in 3in deep snow and over compacted ice many times on T1-S and Eagle F1's type tyres... yes the clog up easily and have little grip, but HOW fast do you want to go when the conditions are that poor anyway?
Putting winter tyres on protects numpties from their ignorance, but it'd likely just result in faster accidents as they go quicker before their tyres let go...
Dave
so most people in continental Europe who drive are 'numpties from their ignorance'?
er, I don't think so. Driving standard in most European countries is higher and they use their heads in the winter by fitting equipment appropriate for the conditions.
All that needs to happen in teh UK is for the greedy garages to allow sets of winter wheels to be stored at a nominal price, as on the continent. Why can it be done there and not in the UK?
Edited by silver993tt on Wednesday 24th January 14:33
Fair enough, if they feel the need.
I've never ever been out and thought "damn, I wish I had my winter tyres then I could have gone at 20mph on that really icy dangerous road instead of 10mph", or "I wish I had my winter tyres on today, this one in a yearly snow fall where it's over 3in deep and still falling and I need to drive out no matter what and risk being stuck in 1ft deep drifts anyway"
I'm sure for the times when it is really bad and imperative you need to drive then simply using snow chains would be more effective.
So I wouldn't bother myself, what a waste of money for a few days when you *really* need them, only to compromise lots of other factors for the rest of the rather mild UK winter conditions when your summer tyres are not really compromised at all.
Dave
pugs9000 said:
Podie said:
pugs9000 said:
But with global warming on its way faster then ever, in say... 2 years there will be no need for any gritters, winter tyres etc.
Not Global Warming anymore though... it's Climate Change...
Thanks for correcting me Podie, i just can't keep up with this government, it seems like only yesterday the fuss was all about the hole in the ozone layer. Any way, if people are careful enough with a good quality set of normal tyres and drive sensible in snow & ice etc, then most accidents could be avoided, how people think they can drive as they do in these conditions as they do in summer is beyond me- maybe again its down to experience & attitude.
So what's the greenhouse effect then?
vladd said:
pugs9000 said:
Podie said:
pugs9000 said:
But with global warming on its way faster then ever, in say... 2 years there will be no need for any gritters, winter tyres etc.
Not Global Warming anymore though... it's Climate Change...
Thanks for correcting me Podie, i just can't keep up with this government, it seems like only yesterday the fuss was all about the hole in the ozone layer. Any way, if people are careful enough with a good quality set of normal tyres and drive sensible in snow & ice etc, then most accidents could be avoided, how people think they can drive as they do in these conditions as they do in summer is beyond me- maybe again its down to experience & attitude.
So what's the greenhouse effect then?
Here goes: "Cat -> Pigeons".
Bizarrely (as I understand it) the net effect on the UK of 'Global Warming' is that it will get colder.... The higher global temps will melt the ice caps and the heavily salted water will then cool the gulf stream quicker causing it to stop before it reaches the UK and no gulf stream - no warmth.. On this line of latitiude they have polar bears in Canada, (AFAIK)....
silver993tt said:
Mr Whippy said:
Ashok said:
Why people in this country don't fit winter tyres is beyond me. I put mine on in November and they'll probably be on until March.
Nobody (RAC etc.) seems to be promoting this basic message. It's the single most important thing to do if driving in these conditions. It's also cost effective since it saves the wear on your summer tyres so they last longer too.
Nobody (RAC etc.) seems to be promoting this basic message. It's the single most important thing to do if driving in these conditions. It's also cost effective since it saves the wear on your summer tyres so they last longer too.
If people just drove sensibly they'd be fine. I've driven home in 3in deep snow and over compacted ice many times on T1-S and Eagle F1's type tyres... yes the clog up easily and have little grip, but HOW fast do you want to go when the conditions are that poor anyway?
Putting winter tyres on protects numpties from their ignorance, but it'd likely just result in faster accidents as they go quicker before their tyres let go...
Dave
so most people in continental Europe who drive are 'numpties from their ignorance'?
er, I don't think so. Driving standard in most European countries is higher and they use their heads in the winter by fitting equipment appropriate for the conditions.
All that needs to happen in teh UK is for the greedy garages to allow sets of winter wheels to be stored at a nominal price, as on the continent. Why can it be done there and not in the UK?
Edited by silver993tt on Wednesday 24th January 14:33
res ipsa loquitur.
Edited by Zod on Wednesday 24th January 15:38
UK garages can't do anything at nominal prices these days. The problem is partly down to our crowded environment and associated high land costs. On top of that, garages are forced to invest massive sums in glitzy showrooms by manufacturers, and they need to claw revenue back wherever they can. They'd be bonkers to waste money storing spare wheels and tyres when they could be using 'spare' sq. metres for additonal service work, etc.
As a case in point, a colleague of mine has just been quoted £500 to fit a towbar to a second- hand Freelander. (Actually, they prefer to call it a 'pre-owned' Freelander.) Why turn this sort of business away in favour of cut-price storage?
As a case in point, a colleague of mine has just been quoted £500 to fit a towbar to a second- hand Freelander. (Actually, they prefer to call it a 'pre-owned' Freelander.) Why turn this sort of business away in favour of cut-price storage?
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