First Experience with Widespread Black Ice

HollowBassman · #1 12-13-2009, 10:19 AM

The entire area was covered with a nice thin coat of black ice this morning. State road did zero road preparation.

One word: Fun! ...err wait, no, that's not it?

Anyway, I attempted to take my girlfriend to work this morning in my 4x2 S10 but we didn't make it halfway there before turning back. It took many minutes to top small hills because driving sideways is apparently slower than straight ahead. We decided not to attempt the big hill that came next.

I don't really have a point, or words of wisdom to impart; just wanted to share my little story. Feel free to share your experiences, make fun of my driving abilities, or otherwise add your two cents.

Chunk-O-Funk · #2 12-13-2009, 10:24 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L27D07Ex_g8

HollowBassman · #3 12-13-2009, 10:33 AM

Pilgrim · #4 12-13-2009, 10:52 AM

BTDT. Grew up driving in WA and Northern ID snows.

Worst traction I ever encountered was in central TX during an ice storm. I "drove" (idled) to a convenience store 3/4 mile away and saw four cars hit the ditch while on that trip. I could barely stand up - just put the Audi in gear and idled. I wouldn't have gone if there were a hill.

When it gets that slippery, only 4WD and chains will get it done.

tplyons · #5 12-13-2009, 10:56 AM

I'm about to slide to the grocery store... unfortunately the cupboards are fairly bare here.

Pilgrim · #6 12-13-2009, 11:05 AM

If they were full, would they be OVER-baron?

If full of spaghetti sauce, would they be Red Baron?

Inquiring minds......

JimB52 · #7 12-13-2009, 11:07 AM

I was down in Atlanta for Super Bowl XXXIV., during a widespread ice storm. Southerners, meet bad driving conditions that you have no experience with. Nothing like watching a pickup truck with Alabama plates driving 60 mph on the highway, then try to take an exit. Just because you can go doesn't mean you can stop. The local news was broadcasting accidents live from some of the major intersections.

tplyons · #8 12-13-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

If they were full, would they be OVER-baron?

If full of spaghetti sauce, would they be Red Baron?

Inquiring minds......

Yes... my mind is frozen.

Passinwind · #9 12-13-2009, 11:18 AM

Last night I-84 was closed about 40 miles from here due to 8 separate accidents in 20 minutes. Being at the mercy of all those other drivers can be a pretty scary thing...no matter how competent you may be (or not) at this sort of driving.

I was lucky enough to get in a few hours of snow/ice driving as part of Driver's Ed as a 15 year old. We did pylons on a naturally-iced parking lot, in a RWD muscle car. After the 20th or 30th time you lose it you start to figure it out, but it's a lot safer to do this away from traffic, to say the least.

Stanley Design · #10 12-13-2009, 11:44 AM

*Chuckle*

burk48237 · #11 12-13-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimB52

I was down in Atlanta for Super Bowl XXXIV., during a widespread ice storm. Southerners, meet bad driving conditions that you have no experience with. Nothing like watching a pickup truck with Alabama plates driving 60 mph on the highway, then try to take an exit. Just because you can go doesn't mean you can stop. The local news was broadcasting accidents live from some of the major intersections.

I cover MI, OH, IN, KY, and TN in sales. I've driven in many serious snow storms including a may storm in the UP, and constantly have to watch for lake effect storms in my territory. But the conditions I fear the most are Southern storms. In between municipalities that aren't prepared for it, lot's of hilly roads, and drivers who are clueless it's a crapshoot every time. I was in Louisville KY for last years ice storm, no fun at all. Even the hotel parking lot was dangerous. And I run 4-wheel drive which I feel is a necessity (at least all wheel) for my territory.

RWP · #12 12-13-2009, 12:23 PM

Black ice isn't really black, it's clear. Just say'en......

Unrepresented · #13 12-13-2009, 12:47 PM

Sad thing is, it rained here in San Diego this week and the accidents and chaos were probably just as bad as a black ice situation in your area.

Bob Lee (QSC) · #14 12-14-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

Last night I-84 was closed about 40 miles from here due to 8 separate accidents in 20 minutes. Being at the mercy of all those other drivers can be a pretty scary thing...no matter how competent you may be (or not) at this sort of driving.

I was lucky enough to get in a few hours of snow/ice driving as part of Driver's Ed as a 15 year old. We did pylons on a naturally-iced parking lot, in a RWD muscle car. After the 20th or 30th time you lose it you start to figure it out, but it's a lot safer to do this away from traffic, to say the least.

I used to live near the other end of I-84.

I didn't mind driving in winter weather much … but some of the other drivers scared the hell out of me.

It used to amuse me that when a snowstorm approached, the supermarket shelves were soon sold out of water, bread, milk, etc., even though we'd rarely been snowed in for more than a few hours, and only once for more than a day.

How many of you have been taught to "turn into the skid" to regain control of your car, and how many know what that means?

(I always hated vague phrases that get repeated over and over as is.)

Pilgrim · #15 12-14-2009, 04:33 PM

Bob, I've always wondered how someone could NOT "turn into a skid" to keep control. If you have even the vaguest reflexes for driving, it's instinctive - or at least I've always found it to be so.

But then, given some elbow room between me and other cars, I've never worried a lot about being forwards or sideways as long as I'm heading in the direction I want to go. Backwards, however, is not convenient or helpful.

I've never minded driving in winter at all, but as an autocross, road race and circle track driver, half the fun is the experience of getting there.

vbasscustom · #16 12-14-2009, 05:23 PM

yeah, winter isnt too bad for me, i drive a rwd thunderbird from 82 and it goes along great, even in nova scotia winters. if you want find out how to handle your car on ice, go to a parking lot when its icy, and skid around a little, find out what the point of no return is, and how much force and how fast you can be going to regain control, even take some pylons with you to try out the skiding speeds and how well you can steer.
i do it every year before i even touch a road.