What is Stone like for snow today.....? and...........

I

ijmooree

Iain Moore
I've heard Stone is quite bad today, is that the case?

Also as an instructor I believe that students should learn in these condtions so they can drive safely in them. Usually I start in a quiet car park well away from other cars. I teach skid contol, use of gears and how to correct skids when they take place, THEN we go on the road. Obviously if it was really bad, it would be a no no, but I wish I'd had the chance when I first learnt, it would have made me more aware of ice and snow! What do you think?
 
Trumpet

Trumpet

Well-Known Forumite
Quite right, by chance I took my driving lessons throughout the winter months some 30 odd years ago and just coped with whatever conditions arose.
 
db

db

#chaplife
ijmooree said:
What do you think?
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i think it's a brilliant idea.. i can't believe how many people you see skidding around in these conditions, wheels spinning all over the place..

to be honest though, teaching the theory is all well and good, but the best way to learn seems to be to have a few near misses, unfortunately! my missus skidded out into a junction while we were in sheffield just before xmas (when the weather was far worse than anything we've had here so far) and it really shook her up, bless her.. she's become a lot better at driving in these conditions and understanding how her car reacts since, though :)
 
C

cookie_monster

Well-Known Forumite
dirtybobby said:
ijmooree said:
What do you think?
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i think it's a brilliant idea.. i can't believe how many people you see skidding around in these conditions, wheels spinning all over the place..
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me too!

i was too worried about driving when i was back in stafford last because i have just simply never driven in these conditions...and i didnt want to get told off for pranging my mums car!


x
 
db

db

#chaplife
Mrs B said:
im petrified of driving in this weather, any advice greatfully received
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"don't" would probably be the best advice :teef:

a lot of people will tell you to "drive in as high a gear as possible".. now, the logic behind this is sound (the higher the gear, the lower the torque, so your wheels shouldn't spin as easily) but i don't find it is that practical in real life.. in my opinion, you shouldn't be driving fast enough to be able to get any higher than second gear - if you're in third, you're going to fast!

you just need to drive as slow as your car will allow.. and you want to try and avoid stopping altogether - you should drive so slowly and approach bends and junctions in such a way that you can just negotiate them slowly, rather than having to stop and pull off again.. if you try and stop on ice, you will just skid, and this will make you panic and brake harder, which is literally the worst thing you can do!

and, it goes without saying, leave a ridiculous gap between you and any surrounding cars/people/etc.. you must constantly be thinking "if this thing in front of me stops suddenly, can i slow down enough to avoid hitting them without hitting my breaks?"..
 
Mrs B

Mrs B

Well-Known Forumite
fab! thanks for that, i went stoopidly slow on the way to school this morning and felt people behind me getting a mard on, but to me my kids safety was more important, i got back home in one piece and think ill just leave it at the back of the house til it clears up.

a motorbike? ha! i had moped in 2001 that i couldnt even stay on in dry weather, hubbys fjr1300 is safely wrapped up in the garage, we had fun sticking it in a cocoon thingy
 
Timeflies

Timeflies

The Weatherman
My advice for the day is if your wheels start to lock up take you feet off all the pedals and steer in the direction you want to go. It works!

Public safety announcement for the day!

T
 
My Name is URL

My Name is URL

Well-Known Forumite
Timeflies has a point... in a skid, if your wheels lock up and you're still moving then you are screwed... at least if your wheels are turning then you have some steering control.

However if you have anti lock breaks then they will probably do a better job of stopping you than anything else so in that case DON'T take your foot off the break.... - if you've never experienced ABS activating before it can be a bit scary and the natural reaction is to take your foot off the break and it sounds / feels horrible but don't worry....
 
Gramaisc

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Most, if not all, vehicles with ABS will have a light to indicate that it is not working - and this light, usually red and saying 'ABS' will light for a few seconds when you first switch on, whilst the system checks itself out.
 
staffordjas

staffordjas

Well-Known Forumite
I've never driven on ice since we have had a car with ABS. Hubby said it felt weird as though the car was shuddering when he tried the brakes out down our icy driveway.

So,if you brake on ice,do you just put your foot on the brake as normal and the car works out what pressure to keep applying? (Sorry for being thick....just can't see how it works :rolleyes: )

Since someone skidded into me while I was waiting at a junction, years ago ,I am a nervous wreck on slippery roads.
 
mitch

mitch

Well-Known Forumite
ijmooree said:
Also as an instructor I believe that students should learn in these condtions so they can drive safely in them.
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In my opinion every newley qualified driver should have to take motorway lessons before being let loose on the slab, the amount of muppets that drive on the motorway is frightening. When I become Prime Minister I will pass a law that rotating blades be fitted to the left hand side of each vehicles wheels and it will be compulsary that they are deployed upon each fool that canters along the middle lane overtaking stuff all in the inside lane, floggings too good for them.
 
Mrs B

Mrs B

Well-Known Forumite
staffordjas said:
Since someone skidded into me while I was waiting at a junction, years ago ,I am a nervous wreck on slippery roads.
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the same happened to me which is why im such a physical wreck, i had my 4 day old baby in the car and i went off my head at the poor bloke, i later apologised to him as it clearly wasnt his fault but its put me off driving in ice.

I drive a 4x4 toyota estima lucida auto, but ive never seen any lights on the dash so a presuming it hasnt got it


Id like to say a massive thank you to everyone that has offered advice, it is very valued :)
 
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