So, today I decided that I would go to Craig's so Amie could get some pictures of me for her uni work. Its only 2 miles up the road from mine, so figured that what with the roads being quite nicely clear now, it would be fine. So I drove to his after having to jump start the car (the car decided that after 5 days of not using it, it would hibernate). I got to Craig's and after 20 minutes, heavy snow started to fall. Gutted, me Amie and Katie made arrangements to quickly get home, so Amie got her photos done, and i got a few done for my work (not that it was any use seeing as Photoshop refuses to load my RAW format...grr!). And I had the worst shortest journey ever home. I had to slam down on the accelerator to get the car out off the side of the road, and then skid and slide all the way out onto the mainish road. I havent driven in proper snow before, so was taken aback by how the car wouldn't turn the corner, and got the shock of my life when the car swerved into the other lane. I pulled myself straight, got to bearings with what speed to stick at and how far the wheel would turn, when I got to the roundabout. And yet again, as I took my right turning off, the car simply refused to turn and I almost careered straight into the left hand side of the roundabout. I continued like this for a while, and wanted to cry! I got home, but couldnt make the sharp right turn to my parking space, and nearly hit the neighbours car. So I parked up on the side of the road, got out and made Dad park!
Sorry, but snow isn't worth dying over! I'm meant to be at a hair salon tomorrow in leighton buzzard, but we're forecast more snow, so I'm debating at what point to text the photographer I'm working with and say I'm whimping out. Believe me, I know it's silly to put life on hold over it, but now I've been out in it, I really don't ever want to again cause next time I won't be so lucky to have next to no cars on the road and I'll get hit by some other idiot in the least.
So there's my snow adventure for today! I really don't know what I'm gonig to do tomorrow yet; even if the roads have cleared, who's to say it wont snow that badly while I'm in Buzzard?? Nooo thankyou, much rather be indoors. Boring, but safe!!!
db: Difference between men and women
4 weeks ago
1 comments:
Ametyl,
My mother claims, "You can't learn any younger." I certainly wouldn't tell you that, but if you think Mom's words might apply, .. ;-)
I took work in Minneapolis some years after leaving Iowa for the Navy and college. The first snowfall, I found an empty lot, and did some slow donuts. I wanted to get a feel for how that car ('75 Toyota Corolla) handled. As it turned out - pretty well. Smaller cars often do. I think the old VW Beetles were probably some of the best, for cutting through snow, stopping reasonably. The fact that the engine was very small, compared to the weight of the car, helped - you weren't seduced into thinking you had control over anything. Driving timid is *necessary* in snowy, snow packed, and especially icy conditions.
You already know "turn into the direction of the skid." You have to get the front wheels more-or-less guiding something, to regain control of the direction you go from there.
Don't let the wheels spin. Or slip. Don't brake when skidding - touch the brakes lightly or not at all. Once the wheels stop turning, or spinning - you are a monstrous sled with an amateur at the wheel.
Now tell your Dad to stop laughing, to haul you and your car to the nearest parking lot, and help you practice driving in winter conditions. Listen carefully - expect to have to *unlearn* a few things. Expect to have to slow down - a lot. Learn a whole new way of starting out, using the brakes (and when not to use them!), how to stop. Learn a whole new concept about how far back to stay from the car ahead. Learn about slowing and planning a turn or lane change as if you are planning a picnic with 30 valued friends, 4 published book authors, and a nationally known rock band, plus your minister and parents.
With practice, you will be in a position to help the next friend new to winter driving.
Luck!
Post a Comment