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Slick roads and accident reduction

P

Paul Janke

Member
I have noticed that when the roads are slick that the number of accidents goes up. Also, most people drive much slower. I think I have figured out the reason for those accidents. It is because when everybody slows down to, say, two thirds as fast then they are in each spot half again as long. That means that the chance of somebody else wanting that same spot at the same time is, well, if both parties are going two thirds of normal speed, then half again the time there (the first driver) times half again the time there (the other driver), two and a quarter times as high as when driving at normal rates.
With that settled, the solution is for everybody to drive faster when the roads are slick. If everybody would drive at half again their normal speed then they would only be in each spot for two thirds as long. Now this is with all drivers using this method, so now two thirds times two thirds is four ninths, or less than half as much chance of people trying to be in the same spot at the same time. P.S. When I drove a propane delivery truck for a living, my supervisor seemed bothered by this method.
 
(quoted from post at 17:00:21 01/26/14) I have noticed that when the roads are slick that the number of accidents goes up. Also, most people drive much slower. I think I have figured out the reason for those accidents. It is because when everybody slows down to, say, two thirds as fast then they are in each spot half again as long. That means that the chance of somebody else wanting that same spot at the same time is, well, if both parties are going two thirds of normal speed, then half again the time there (the first driver) times half again the time there (the other driver), two and a quarter times as high as when driving at normal rates.
With that settled, the solution is for everybody to drive faster when the roads are slick. If everybody would drive at half again their normal speed then they would only be in each spot for two thirds as long. Now this is with all drivers using this method, so now two thirds times two thirds is four ninths, or less than half as much chance of people trying to be in the same spot at the same time. P.S. When I drove a propane delivery truck for a living, my supervisor seemed bothered by this method.
Click to expand...

LOL I've been telling people for years to drive faster in all conditions. If you reduce travel time you also reduce your exposure time to the dangers!

Rick
 
Years ago, on a nice Sunday morning, we were headed to church with the two little ones in the back seat. On a major(state) highway, a very distracted fellow approaching us, started a shallow left turn, towards a corner store, putting him on a collision course with us.
I was a lot younger then. I somehow immediately decided that braking was not the thing to do, as that would almost guarantee a collision. I kept up speed, and swerved off onto the shoulder, narrowly missing a pole on the edge of the shoulder and someone's yard. We got through without a scratch.
So, yes, getting OUT of that spot in a hurry made our day!
 
It's the driver that is either oblivious to the road conditions or think their all season tires grip the road. Or they tear along at the posted speed limit or more because they are late. They exceed the traction co-efficient of the tires and veer out of control.
 
One of the prime reasons I go out and get plastered more often before I drive home. Way I figger it, I'll have one less drunk on the road coming AT me......
 
Here in the North East, All it takes is about 3 nice sunny days and people forget how to drive in snow and they don't slow down.
 
A friend of mine is an EMS driver. He says a lot of accidents result in one positive thing....they improve the mental genetic pool.
LA in WI
 
My trick in snowy weather when I have to go to work is go in early. And I mean really early. Like up to an hour or so. And then take your time. The thing that gets me is people who feel like passing me in unplowed lanes or driving up on my bumper when it's slick out. I can't seem to "shake" these morons. If they want to go into the ditch; fine. But don't take me with you, fools! :x
 
Auto Trans, and left foot brakers. Follow some one and their brake light are off and on. I have even seen someone passing and their brake light are on.
 
Drove some friends to the airport in Ft. Wayne, IN early this morning. Roads just ice and snow the whole 70 mile trip. But I had a chance to meet several cars that passed me again--while they were in the median waiting for me to go by. My knuckles are just now turning pink again--they were white for a couple of hours.
 
(quoted from post at 21:25:57 01/26/14) From what I have seen it isn't the veering that gets them in trouble, it is the too-quick veering back!
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How true, that over correction gets a lot of people. Lots to be said for learning to control a skid out on a cow pasture with a beater vehicle.
 

Many people are depending on the phony gadgets the car Dealers are selling on the newer cars, like "traction Control", ABS Brakes, Side traffic warning buzzers, rear movie Camera, Auto-Braking, if you are texting and do not see the car ahead stop, etc, etc, etc..
The more of this junk they put on, the poorer the average driver becomes..
Atlanta, Ga. has to be the "Left Foof Capital of the Country"..
I was in Atlanta a few years ago, they got 3 whole inches of snow. I drove from Peach Tree City, to Dalton with a Peterbuilt and empty dry Box. I had to get out and tell some drivers to only drive with ONE foot..!!
The evening rush-hour traffic was still jammed on 675 at 2:45 in the morning..the people were afraid to drive off the off-ramps so they were WALKING off and leaving their cars on the freeway..!!
Called about picking my load up the next morning and the guy said "were Closed"..!!
I said"but it is only 3" of snow"..
He said,"I Know, we will be closed 2 or 3 DAYS"..!!!
So, I dragged my empty wagon back to Peach Tree City (Fasson) and traded for a Loaded one..
About the only thing more aggravating is when they get "The Slows"...(GRRR)..!!

Ron..
 
I see the problem as two-fold. At least here in the north-east.

#1 Weren't we all taught that even in GOOD conditions to leave at least one car space between us and the car in front for every 10 MPH of speed. If going 50 MPH - that means as least 5 spaces - i.e. with my truck about 85'. Seems now adays almost nobody follows the rule and cops are reluctant to give tickets for following too closely.

#2. "Clear Road" programs. I live in central NY and northern MI in the winter. Both have their versions of "clear road" programs that I regard as inane and insane. The mentality is - we conquer nature with salt, sand, and endless plowing so we can all go wherever, whenever - regardless of the weather. This leads to driver's expecting safe roads all the time. When they crash on a slippery road? Often they whine and call it bad road maintenance.

I came home last night along Long Rapids Road in Maple Ridge Township and Alpena. It was 2 below zero, windy, and snowing. The road was a solid sheet of ice and has a "good weather" speed limit of 40-50 MPH. I was doing 35 MPH all the way home and was tailgated all the way. Also passed several times.
 
I would suggest that most accidents are caused by people who travel at well less than the speed that most traffic is flowing whether that's on bad roads or good roads. I don't know how many times I've come up behind one of these twits on bare road... and they're doing 2/3 the posted limit... then when you get too close they pile on the brakes because you're too close... then when you get to a passing lane they can damn well make 120% of the posted limit just like that. The other one I hate is the 'mobile speed bump'.... you know... these dipshits that go around with that on a bumper sticker. It's like they're doing a service to mankind by forcing everyone to drive at 20% under the posted limit. It ought to be legal to run them into the ditch.
Every time you have someone traveling at far less than the posted speed and a nominally safe speed... it causes most others to take action to get around them that is many times not particularly safe.
I passed close to a mile of traffic one day about a month ago... we were all driving bumper to bumper on a divided highway that only had 1 set of wheel tracks. There was no need of driving 25 mph on a bare track with good traction when visibility was good...so I pulled out into the snow and went... then got back up to speed.
If someone is that scared of the road then they shouldn't be on the road.

Rod
 
Seeing as this has turned into a more serious post I'll add this. I have noticed over the last several years that the first snowfall/icy road condition events here in west MN results with a lot of people in the ditch or accidents. Then once winter has sets in and people start to remembering their winter driving skills, the vehicle most often seen in the ditch, tail gating or passing in bad conditions is a 4X4.

Rick
 
IThe other one I hate is the 'mobile speed bump'.... you know... these dipshits that go around with that on a bumper sticker. It's like they're doing a service to mankind by forcing everyone to drive at 20% under the posted limit. It ought to be legal to run them into the ditch.
Click to expand...

OMG YES! I have seen that up this way too....they do the same exact BS. 40 in a 50, 70 in an 80.
 
There's a huge difference between driving for the conditions and driving slow.

Most people drive slow. They still stomp on the gas to accelerate, jerk the wheel around to steer, and stomp on the brakes to stop. Guess what? They still get into accidents and dump their cars in the ditch.
 
(quoted from post at 11:17:45 01/27/14) I would suggest that most accidents are caused by people who travel at well less than the speed that most traffic is flowing whether that's on bad roads or good roads. I don't know how many times I've come up behind one of these twits on bare road... and they're doing 2/3 the posted limit... then when you get too close they pile on the brakes because you're too close... then when you get to a passing lane they can damn well make 120% of the posted limit just like that. The other one I hate is the 'mobile speed bump'.... you know... these dipshits that go around with that on a bumper sticker. It's like they're doing a service to mankind by forcing everyone to drive at 20% under the posted limit. It ought to be legal to run them into the ditch.
Every time you have someone traveling at far less than the posted speed and a nominally safe speed... it causes most others to take action to get around them that is many times not particularly safe.
I passed close to a mile of traffic one day about a month ago... we were all driving bumper to bumper on a divided highway that only had 1 set of wheel tracks. There was no need of driving 25 mph on a bare track with good traction when visibility was good...so I pulled out into the snow and went... then got back up to speed.
If someone is that scared of the road then they shouldn't be on the road.

Rod
Click to expand...

I agree the terrified or timid driver causes as many wrecks as the drivers traveling too fast for the conditions.
 
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