Icy Roads: Don’t drive like an idiot, especially if you drive an SUV
Ok, so we live in a part of the country that gives us wet roads most of the year. So why is it, that when it starts to rain, we have wave of collisions by drivers who fail to heed simple cautionary driving methods? Really, you’d think everyone driving in Seattle just moved here from Southern California. Wait, many just did. So, for those of you who failed drivers’ ed, here are some general guidelines. Drive slower — I don’t care if your SUV is equipped with all-wheel drive and anti-lock brakes, you will need longer stopping distances in wet and icy roads. Allow greater space between your car and the guy in front of you. Should s/he hit the brakes, you will not ram into their rear end. Anticipate greater braking distance. It takes a longer distance to stop your car when you are driving on wet or icy roads. Ease into braking by anticipating stops, pedestrians or foolish drivers cutting you off: drive defensively. Let the jerk have his way. If some nitwit wants the right-of-way despite the fact that it is yours, let him go, his karma will catch up with him shortly. Finally, get a good book and some videos. If you don’t have to drive, DON’T. Stoke up the space heater, fireplace or wood-stove and enjoy the opportunity to cacoon. Most critically, don’t drive like an idiot! Be smart and be safe.
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December 11th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Hallelujah! Especially the part about leaving space between the cars – it allows people room to merge safely and easily without all the guesswork, and allows you room to stop suddenly.
I’ll be letting Metro drive for me.
December 11th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I agree. It usually takes about 10 times the distance to stop on icy/snowy roads compared to dry ones. Ever since SUV’s became the fad for city driving, I’ve always been amazed to watch how many people driving those vehicles on icy roads don’t seem to understand that having 4-wheel drive doesn’t mean the vehicle also has 4-wheel stop.
December 11th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
lol!
In Buffalo NY, (land of lake effect snow storms) the first snow storm is always hilarious with cars strewn 100’s of yards off the road everywhere. 3 second rule for good conditions, 4-6 for bad.
December 11th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Don’t you drive an SUV Ricardo?
December 12th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Hey, I need it for business and besides it’s 100 years old. Anyway, I know of what I speaketh. So don’t drive like an idiot.
December 12th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
If you have bald tires in the snow or in the rain , that is not a going to help you when you put the brakes on, you will slid, and it is the most terrifing things to happen you can even slid right on to a person or hit another car, there is a place on Delridge Way the name of the company is Albertson Used Tires. 5621 Delridge Way, Seattle, WA 98106 Map, +1 206.935.0722 there tires are used but not bald this would be good for know until you can get some new tires seeing that the economy is terrible
I went there my tire was low on air Alberto checked all my tires and did not charge me I left him a tip, Alberto also dose towen for a good price. If you ever get into a fender bender give him a call he can towe you or get you some tires to get you by until :) Happy Hilidays and stay safe
LMA