Exceptionally misleading "snow / road" reports by the press
Discussion
So just got back in after driving un-gritted or cleared B-roads for 20 mile to work (south east Oxfordshire / Berkshire then 65mile round trip through Oxfordshire / Wiltshire for work. In all fairness the 1st 2 miles from home were difficult as I'm out in the sticks and was only the 2nd or 3rd car to have used the local roads, but after that on the B roads it was fine and the A roads absolutely fine.
However, the Radio would have you believe that some 100 year snow storm that had kicked off the next Ice age had occured. This road blocked, that road blocked, really don't drive unless massively necessary, all schools closed, is any one going to work? Don't think many will make it in etc?
Two of the roads I drove down for work I was hearing on the radio how they were blocked as I drove along them (I planned to turn off at the last minute and go throught he back lanes if necessary), they were not blocked,.. the opposite, empty, clear, actually went Oxford to Swindown on the A420 travelling at an appropriate speed for the conditions 50mph (incidentally the normal speed limit.... but anyway) all the way, faster than is normally possible due to weight of traffic, zero issues, infact I had no cars behind me or infront until the last 2 miles into Swindon when I caught some dodderer.
Got to my destination in Swindon to hear things would be delayed "as staff can't get in"... er why? The roads are all totally clear and empty!
So I think the press are responsible for the massive cost to businesses, people turn on the news hear they CAN'T / SHOULDN'T go to work To DANGEROUS so genuinely believe they can't.
Am I right? Should the Press be held accountable if they are blatently massively exagerating?
However, the Radio would have you believe that some 100 year snow storm that had kicked off the next Ice age had occured. This road blocked, that road blocked, really don't drive unless massively necessary, all schools closed, is any one going to work? Don't think many will make it in etc?
Two of the roads I drove down for work I was hearing on the radio how they were blocked as I drove along them (I planned to turn off at the last minute and go throught he back lanes if necessary), they were not blocked,.. the opposite, empty, clear, actually went Oxford to Swindown on the A420 travelling at an appropriate speed for the conditions 50mph (incidentally the normal speed limit.... but anyway) all the way, faster than is normally possible due to weight of traffic, zero issues, infact I had no cars behind me or infront until the last 2 miles into Swindon when I caught some dodderer.
Got to my destination in Swindon to hear things would be delayed "as staff can't get in"... er why? The roads are all totally clear and empty!
So I think the press are responsible for the massive cost to businesses, people turn on the news hear they CAN'T / SHOULDN'T go to work To DANGEROUS so genuinely believe they can't.
Am I right? Should the Press be held accountable if they are blatently massively exagerating?
They are doing a wonderful job. One of the blokes who works for the Mrs said he was unable to get in that day as the snow was horrific and the traffic impossible.
She'd driven 33 miles as popped to the shops at lunch time, driving within 50 yards of his house. I said she should have knocked on the door as she went by but she decided to wait until Tuesday to have a word...
Seriously it amazes me. If you were a semi-skilled labourer (ie it would take a week for someone with 1/4 of a brain to learn how to do your job) would you really think that now was the time to be taking the piss?
She'd driven 33 miles as popped to the shops at lunch time, driving within 50 yards of his house. I said she should have knocked on the door as she went by but she decided to wait until Tuesday to have a word...
Seriously it amazes me. If you were a semi-skilled labourer (ie it would take a week for someone with 1/4 of a brain to learn how to do your job) would you really think that now was the time to be taking the piss?
To be honest, it's no bad thing if the majority stay off the roads.
I had to go to Luton Airport this morning. Left at 4am and by the time I got off the M1 onto the approach road there was a good layer of slush/snow and a massive queue of cars which had gotten themselves into an awful mess.
The average chappie just doesn't know how to drive safely in these conditions. Added to that the number of cars which clearly had bald tyres and it was complete snowmageddon.
The real problem is that people are impatient and instead of waiting back while the car ahead deals with the incline they all follow in convey and then when one car snags they are all screwed.
It took me 5 hours to get back to London and at no time was my old Rangie in any difficulty at all. It should ahve taken half an hour but I was stuck behind endless queues of cars which had done silly things.
As such, imagine your nice, and I'm sure, fun journey surrounded by a hundred cars all at risk of sliding into you or blocking your advance and retreat.
I had to go to Luton Airport this morning. Left at 4am and by the time I got off the M1 onto the approach road there was a good layer of slush/snow and a massive queue of cars which had gotten themselves into an awful mess.
The average chappie just doesn't know how to drive safely in these conditions. Added to that the number of cars which clearly had bald tyres and it was complete snowmageddon.
The real problem is that people are impatient and instead of waiting back while the car ahead deals with the incline they all follow in convey and then when one car snags they are all screwed.
It took me 5 hours to get back to London and at no time was my old Rangie in any difficulty at all. It should ahve taken half an hour but I was stuck behind endless queues of cars which had done silly things.
As such, imagine your nice, and I'm sure, fun journey surrounded by a hundred cars all at risk of sliding into you or blocking your advance and retreat.
No cars were able to make it into, or out of my street from Sunday night until Tuesday. This is because there it a steep downhill leading to a 90degree right onto a steep up hill, both of which were ungritted and had a layer of ice underneath fresh snow. I suppose substantial digging with a shovel might have worked, but its not exactly a short hill.
Luckily I was out on Sunday when the snow fell, so I couldn't make it back into my road and parked in the next street over which is a lot flatter and stayed (just about) accessible.
So all in all I think it depends where you live, what car you own and how much effort/risk you are prepared to take.
Luckily I was out on Sunday when the snow fell, so I couldn't make it back into my road and parked in the next street over which is a lot flatter and stayed (just about) accessible.
So all in all I think it depends where you live, what car you own and how much effort/risk you are prepared to take.
It is annoying, it does seem that they don't give balanced reports, for example sticking reporters on the single worst piece of motorway in an entire region and, IMO, basically portraying that as the weather conditions for the whole of that region.
I haven't gone into work today, with hindsight I think I could have made it, and luckily I'm able to work pretty much as normal remotely and I have decent bosses.
Problem is if you have a 20 mile drive to/from work, in these conditions it doesn't take very much to totally f
k you.
I haven't gone into work today, with hindsight I think I could have made it, and luckily I'm able to work pretty much as normal remotely and I have decent bosses.
Problem is if you have a 20 mile drive to/from work, in these conditions it doesn't take very much to totally f
k you.I must admit, I have struggled today on the local roads, first time in a very long time, especially on our housing estate. I like to think I know what I am doing in snow, but I had many dodgy moments this morning, whereas earlier on this week, and in previous years, I have been generally OK, and have often wondered what all the fuss has been about.
We live on a bit of a hill, couldn't get up it, so went down it, nipped to the PO to collect a parcel, couldn't get back up the hill to get home again. The boss rang me just as I was trudging home having dumped the car, he had taken four times as long to get to work, so told me not to bother if I didn't have anything to be doing.
Once you are on the main roads though, it is fine.
Went and got the car back (the Fabia) a short while ago when it started to turn slushy. I have been out in the Panda though too, when I ditched the Skoda, and that was no problem at all. So it does depend on the car a lot too.
We live on a bit of a hill, couldn't get up it, so went down it, nipped to the PO to collect a parcel, couldn't get back up the hill to get home again. The boss rang me just as I was trudging home having dumped the car, he had taken four times as long to get to work, so told me not to bother if I didn't have anything to be doing.
Once you are on the main roads though, it is fine.
Went and got the car back (the Fabia) a short while ago when it started to turn slushy. I have been out in the Panda though too, when I ditched the Skoda, and that was no problem at all. So it does depend on the car a lot too.
Pupp said:
Whilst there is some truth in the OP's complaint, I wonder how many of the critics have ever had to overnight in a stranded car? I have and won't ever willingly put myself atrisk of having to do that again.
Do you believe the reports are balanced though? Let's assume you lived in the Midlands and didn't have access to the Internet and could only go off what you saw/heard on TV and the radio.I can see where you're coming from because there are lots of people out there who will go out dressed as normal and expect to drive as normal, but it does seem the weather forecasts on TV are a little more interested in drama than balanced facts.
Pupp said:
Whilst there is some truth in the OP's complaint, I wonder how many of the critics have ever had to overnight in a stranded car? I have and won't ever willingly put myself at risk of having to do that again.
Been there, done that. Now I always have a drink, coat, foil blankets, some chocolate and a bag of humbugs in the car if it's cold, but tend to eat the chocolate before it's melted into the door pocket in the summer 
paddyhasneeds said:
Pupp said:
Whilst there is some truth in the OP's complaint, I wonder how many of the critics have ever had to overnight in a stranded car? I have and won't ever willingly put myself atrisk of having to do that again.
Do you believe the reports are balanced though? Let's assume you lived in the Midlands and didn't have access to the Internet and could only go off what you saw/heard on TV and the radio.I can see where you're coming from because there are lots of people out there who will go out dressed as normal and expect to drive as normal, but it does seem the weather forecasts on TV are a little more interested in drama than balanced facts.
DJFish said:
News 24, complete sensationalism, seems they're there to entertain, not to inform.
Views not news. Text or e-mail us your thoughts and please send us pictures of the snow in your back garden.
And then we have SKY news, with their huge great big bright red scrolling...
'BREAKING NEWS, IT'S NEARLY HALF PAST FIVE, BREAKING NEWS, ADVERTS ON NEXT, BREAKING NEWS, IT'S NEARLY QUARTER TO SIX, BREAKING NEWS, MY COFFEE HAS GONE COLD NEED A TOP UP, BREAKING NEWS, ONE DAY WE MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING REALLY INTERESTING AND WORTHY OF THIS BANNER TO REPORT AS BREAKING NEWS'.
Why can't we just have a proper news programme or channel that doesn't earn our scorn or contempt? How hard can it be?
sjg said:
Am I imagining things, or were there yellow bins of salt/grit everywhere when I was a kid? I think I remember my dad going out with a shovel and chucking some on our road when the weather got bad, and doing our driveway too. Can't remember seeing them for 20+ years though.
So, So true! Minor roads round housing estates, villages etc could be sorted no problem if they still used these. In S.Wales about 50 yards from my parents house there is one that must have been there since the 70's its cracked and now has brambles etc growing out of it. In Oxfordshire I can't remember ever seeing one, theres certainly not one near my place now.Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff