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OMFG! Ok people, I know that most of you havn't seen this much snow in a long time but lets be smart when you drive on snow covered, icy roads. I use to be a traffic cop for almost 8 years and I have noticed that people that drive SUVs, Pickups or anything that has 4X4 stamped on it think that they are safer than the rest of us. Alright, all you drivers that think like this it is you need to understand that your vehicle has a higher center of gravity along with the a greater mass. 4 wheel drive is just as dangerous as a front wheel drive car when all four wheels are on ice. Also, when you do go into a skid you have greater mass that you are trying to control. Along with the greater mass the higher center of gravity means that in a turn or skid the vehicle will begin to lean to one direction so less weight is being placed on the wheels thus very likely causing a roll over of the SUV. For all those that think a lifted vehicle is safer it is not since it have cause you only to have a higher center of gravity. I know that height and mass make one feel safe but is more dangerous. This is why the Military humvee and the civilian H1 is so good since it's center of gravity is so low to the ground. I am stepping down from my now.

Anyone south of the Mason-Dixon line...

Joking aside, I've done several 35 mile trips to work this year at 35-40 mph.

ZF-

I think I encountered all 4 on my way to work today....

I drive a jeep, so I have a 2+ invulnerable save when playing snow missions.

but seriously though.. you gotta be careful and drive slow in snow no matter what kinda car you have. I think it's funny seeing SUVs skid and spin out (well as long as no one gets hurt). What pisses me off the most is those little teeny cars with the oversized mufflers that make em sound like motorcycles tailgating you when there's 6" a snow on the roads. I just slap my soft top and half the snow on my roof ends up on their windshield. Makes em learn quick

In the UK all idiots and poseurs drive things like Audi Q8s and BMW X series SUV's basically a cross between a normal roadcar and a normal road car with poor off road handling along with a less aerodynamic shell these same idiots purchase Range Rovers as well. To be fair I haven't seen many of these around the last few days since they are mainly used to ferry kids to school and over here most of the schools are shut.

I think that driver type determine accidents rather than vehicles hesitant drivers seem to be the worst, you know, the ones that drive 'carefully' at 30 when road conditions and speed limits suggest 60. the ones that panic when their wheels start slipping.


Save a thought for the drivers who come out with kettles of boiling water to de ice their windshields! scary.



i

Here's how I de-ice my windshield, works great

1) Go outside and start your car and crank the defrost up to hot full blast
2) Go inside and have some coffee/tea/hot chocolate
3) ???
4) Profit!

Ya I have a great suspension on my maxima with all season tires, and even though in the snow I can do 50 or 60 my vehicle is not what decides the outcome of my driving. My brother xmas eve over 10 years ago was driving his riveria hit black ice at 15mph and STILL totalled his car. Out here inmass I love the jack off's who think " I have an expedition so i'm gonna ride your ass because you are going 20mph in a blizzard in a 30mph zone". People like this are the ones that I "accidently" slam on my breaks for following WAYYY to close in bad weather. Their fault if they plow into me

The answer is simple for me, anyone who is not paying attention. And by that I mean the people who just stare at their bonnet when driving with no regard to those around them, the people who don't take time to assess the conditions "hmm, its very icy today, I know I'll drive 60 down the main road"

That said, and Empchild covered it, it doesn't matter how fast or how slow you go or how many years you have been driving, if you hit something like black ice your going to lose control of the vehicle until you either hit something or manage to steer through it. But by driving slower and cautiously in bad weather, you decrease the chance of an accident, and if not, you at least reduce the speed of impact.

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@Empchild, although I sometimes feel the same when someone rides my rear while driving, just remember that if you brake and they hit your rear then Yes its there fault and they are idiots, but your the one thats going to be inconvienenced by contacting insurance, arranging a replacement car or arranging lifts whilst car is repaired or the worst shopping for a new one, your no claims gets affected. Trust me, a sharp stamp on the brake and then release is all it takes to scare them "ahem"less whilst keeping the vehicle intact

"disclaimer, doing my suggestion above is idiotic in this kind of weather, its a fair weather suggestion"

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@Pipboy101, yes I've noticed that those kinds of drivers have an unshakable faith in their vehicle that makes them believe they can without regard. I'm not going to brand every one of them the same, but of all the one's I've seen its a pattern that seems more than coincidental

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On another note, driving home yesterday behind someone, she was driving slower than i would have liked but thought that there's no need to rush and its better to be safe than sorry. As she reached the brow of a hill (very steep on the other side) I noticed her come to a complete stop, as I approach her rear and stop whilst slightly confused what should I see?

A bleeding BMW, OVERTAKING ... UP A BLIND SUMMIT ... Right near the top of it! The car he/she was over taking was a 4x4 that was driving steadilly up the hill. All I could do was shake my head.


I voted for the "keeping up with traffic" one rather than SUV, as generally I find a lot of SUV drivers are bad drivers all year round,
Drive safe

I would like to put in a vote for my brother; I believe his general thought pattern is "Okay, compacted ice near curb in my path. Can't avoid it. I MAS GO FASTA!!!!!!111!!!"

Why aren't Asians on the poll?

Frazzled was right....thanks Jeb.

Yeah, why no wominz drivers. China has the right idea with parking for females.

That is something the US could take from China, especially since China is taking everything from us.

And on that note I'll be closing this thread lest She Who Must Be Obeyed deal with you all with extreme predjudice.