Wrightwood Driving Video - ICE

[ChrisLynnet]

I guess we can't blame the flatlanders, as most of those getting stuck and driving unprepared are our neighbors. If you want to live up here, it is pretty important to learn about winter driving or suffer the consequences.

You are so right, you have to learn this. I bought a 4-wheel drive when I first moved up here. It helped, but it wasn't until my sister who lives in Yakima, WA told me about downshifting rather than braking that I became more confident about driving in the snow and ice. I still don't like to do it and will stay home if I can, but at least I can be out safely. I also go quite slowly, take a LONG time to stop so I'll be sure not to slide into the intersection, avoid Sheep Creek, and so on and so forth. It's a matter of learning how to do this.

[thevampy1]

I grew up in Michigan, so I have a lot of experience with winter driving.  Always cracks me up when there are a few drops of rain and everyone in Los Angeles loses their minds, driving 5 mph or 75 (are they trying to outrun the rain?) And all of the local weather reports have a "storm watch!!" banner.  Jeesh!  It's good to take it slow in the snow.  My parents used to take us to a big store parking lot at night, and practice braking, steering into skids, etc.  Don't think there's anywhere close by with enough space to do this.

[love_walnuts]

WW.

Regarding the accident shown, tc between truck and tree...
was it determined how fast the truck was travelling? It really appears to be a high velocity impact. So much so that even the frame was wrapped around the tree.

I am saddened by the loss of life, and pray for her family and friends. I am also concerned that the driver may have extreme guilt if this was all a result of his driving speed.

[fisherman]

Lived in Minn. untill I graduated, We used to lay out a track on the lake and see who could do the best lap time. learned to drive like there was an egg between the feet on the brake and accelerator pedal. Learned that chains are great for going forward and backward, but act like skates on a corner. This was done on clear ice. Snow was a different case depending on if it was hard-packed or loose on the ice

[Mikeswave]

I have seen the News of the people back east that say i know how to drive in snow and ice reminds me of Lonepine 

[Wrightwood]

WW.

Regarding the accident shown, tc between truck and tree...
was it determined how fast the truck was traveling? It really appears to be a high velocity impact. So much so that even the frame was wrapped around the tree.

I was interviewed by a CHP MAIT investigator about my photos and the conditions that morning. (MAIT = Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team)

Both speed & ice contributed to the fatal accident. Even if the vehicle had been traveling at the posted maximum speed limit (35 or 40 MPH in that area?) it was way too fast for the conditions. Hwy 2 was a sheet of ice and you couldn't walk on it without slipping and sliding on the roadway.

California Basic Speed Law
22350.  No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.

[xpert]

To Mtn Dude re: white cars - I just watched the video and read the comments and have to tell you that the only connection with white cars is that it is the most popular car color in the nation making it more likely that white cars will be involved in a variety of incidents!  Hope this doesn't disappoint.

[MtnDude]

Not disappointed....you probably drive a white car yourself! 

Just scan this topic (there are a few more topics I couldn't quickly locate):

http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php/topic,3625.1155.html

and you will see the the majority of "Moron Drivers" are driving white cars!!!  Coincidence?

White cars aren't the only offenders.  I have found that 99.9% of people who drive Mercedes, BMW's, Hummers, Volvo's, and Escalades are either arrogant or oblivious to the rules of the road! 

I just returned from Las Vegas yesterday, and every moron making unsafe lane changes, weaving in and out of traffic, trying to get nowhere fast causing everyone to brake....were driving white or the above mentioned vehicles.  This isn't nothing new, I have noticed this trend for many years and have learned to drive with caution when one of these vehicles is near me.  I exercise EXTREME caution when one of the above mentioned vehicles is also white!!!! 

Another topic..with pictures:

http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php/topic,509.0.html

[xpert]

Actually, I drive a black luxury SUV and I am a very cautious driver - not because I have lived in icy, snowy, dangerous driving areas (which I have and  includes New York and  rural North Idaho - where roads were NOT plowed) or heavy tourist traffic areas (Las Vegas for 8 years - where 4 different driving styles from 4 different states converge and alot of people drive under the influence or overly tired from partying) but because I use logic and common sense when I drive and try to avoid death-causing situations as I have a desire to live long and happy.  I drive the same sane way when I drive white cars...  Amusing but scary theory you have though!  Glad there's not yet car color profiling....

[BostonBob]

Ice follies
After snow storms earlier this winter led to a flurry of accidents on Connecticut roads, the state announced it would start ticketing drivers who failed to clear the snow and ice from the roofs of their cars or trucks.

Flying ice and snow may do no harm to the driver of the blanketed vehicle, but it can be incredibly dangerous to others. Connecticut’s move came after a woman and her two-year-old child were  hurt when ice flew off another car and shattered their windshield.

The AAA says that most states have laws that allow police to ticket drivers of cars covered with ice or snow, even if the law doesn’t spell that hazard out. But there’s no question that it’s the driver’s responsibility to make the car safe enough to be on the road.

Our autos experts offer the following advice:

    * Run your car with the heat on while you’re clearing the outside. Use a long-handled brush or scraper to remove as much ice and snow as possible.
    * If you can’t reach the roof easily use a sturdy step stool—but only if your shoes and the ground aren’t slippery. If the ground is too slick, work at the edges of the ice and lift it away from the roof in chunks.
    * Don’t use road salt or directly scrape the car, both of which can damage the finish.
    * Consider a warm spray at a car wash, particularly if you have a tall vehicle (though note that car washes have differing rules about allowing snow-covered cars to enter).

If a sheet of ice comes flying at you when you’re on the highway, don’t panic. Swerving and hitting another vehicle risks a serious accident, and will likely cause more damage than getting hit by the ice. Gently apply the brakes and don’t change lanes or stop abruptly without checking that it’s safe.

[SkierBob]

After the recent storm in Mammoth CHP was parked in the center of 203 @ 395 directing drivers with snow on their vehicles to pull over and remove the snow before travelling on 395.

Just about everyone needed to remove some snow before continuing making for a pretty good traffic jam, almost worthy of hwy 2 ww traffic fiasco.