Another One in the Ditch...

[MineralMan]

Here in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, the roads are really, really crappy today. Where there's not hard packed snow, there's ice. We had some freezing rain, then a snowstorm. So, that combination, along with below zero temperatures, leads to slick streets.

I just got back from running up to the local Target. I was coming back toward home on a four-lane arterial surface road, driving in the right lane at a reasonable speed of about 25 mph, since there are patches of black ice here and there on that road. Not so bad when you're going straight and there's no traffic, but stopping and turning are a different story, and require much slower speeds.

Anyhow, some guy in a 4WD pickup truck thought I was going way too slowly on that 45 mph limit road. He rode up on my tail and then accelerated past me in the left lane, going about 55 mph. I ignored him, and just let him drive on. I got to the top of a little hill on that road, though, and there he was at the bottom of the downhill, off the road with the front end of his truck pushed up against a chain link fence around a golf course. He got a little off-track, I guess.

"And another one in the ditch," as they say here. He was out of his truck, so was apparently OK, so I waved at him as I putted past, still going slow. He'll probably be a little late getting wherever he was going though. Too bad...

Drive safely, everyone, especially you folks who live in cold country. It's slick out there.

[PJMcK]

1. Kar Karma (n/t)

[ecstatic]

2. Lol. You waved?! nt

[MineralMan]

4. I did.

A friendly gesture...

[Charlotte Little]

11. I just gave you a heart

Because you deserve it. If it had been me, I'd have laughed at him. Shame on me. I should do better.

[MineralMan]

15. Thanks!

[Gothmog]

3. Karma can be amusing

BTW no one in Houston can drive on any ice. The city shuts down if there is a ice storm

[leftyladyfrommo]

5. There is always someone who thinks everyone else is

stupid and don't know how to drive. They tailgate or pass aggressively on the right or left. Sometimes they lay on their horn as they pass.

They often end up facing backwards in the ditch. Or they cause a wreck.

I drive a lot. I see this often. Rude people that end up in the middle of a road rage incident when they do it to the wrong person.

[phylny]

6. There's also someone who thinks

his or her four-wheel-drive is magical on ice. Doh!

[leftyladyfrommo]

8. Yes. And they are dead wrong.

I read in Consumer Reports that the only advantage 4 wheel drive gives you is in starting up from a stop. They aren't better on curves or stopping. Only winter tires really make a difference.

[phylny]

12. I find mine gets up small hills in snow - important where I live.

I know, though, that the laws of physics win on ice

[mokawanis]

7. Many years ago I drove like that guy

one winter afternoon (this was my high-school years in the 70's) I got behind a slow driver and impatiently sped up and went around him, glaring at him as I went by. A minute later I lost control on the icy road and went into the ditch, and wouldn't you know it, that guy was more than happy to pull up and tell me "I knew you were gonna put 'er in the ditch, driving like that. Want me to call a tow truck for you?"

[leftyladyfrommo]

9. That was nice. That was before car phones.

You had to walk for help.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. Was kinda hoping that would happen to the asscarrot in the big black pickup truck

that was tailgating me yesterday on an icy road in Minneapolis. I was driving a bit under the speed limit because it was so damn slippery, and this douchenozzle was behind me honking his horn, then finally passed me and sped away. Shame on me, but I was disappointed that I didn't find him upside down on the side of the road later as I turtled carefully along in my old Saturn.

It's slippery everywhere. Underneath the snow is a layer of ice and it's on everything. I even bought a pair of ice cleats so I wouldn't fall on my old ass and break a hip, because it's impossible to walk anywhere safely - you have to waddle like a very elderly and careful penguin. I got stuck for a long time in a parking lot on Thursday because it sloped slightly downward and after it snowed I couldn't back out. And hills are just about impossible. Minneapolis isn't especially hilly; there are terrain variations that one might call hills that are neither steep nor long - but when it's like this your car can't get up them unless you get a good running start. Nevertheless, there are stupid people who insist on driving as if it were a lovely day in June. I do not wish them well.

[MineralMan]

16. Yup, it's bad out there.

Sometimes there's justice, though.

[GoCubsGo]

13. And, here I thought this was going to be about a presidential campaign.

That being said, I'm always amused at the folks with 4WD who think that having it allows them to go as fast as they want on icy roads. They're especially prevalent here in warm country, where it does occasionally get icy. I usually see 'em in the ditch here, too.

[ProudLib72]

14. Two winters ago I had a little incident on some ultra slick roads

Mind you, this was on a small side street with a speed limit of 30. I was not going very fast at all because I knew the road was slick. Going around a tiny bend, my rear tires came loose and I spun around into the oncoming lane. A complete 180. Luckily, the oncoming cars were moving slowly as well, and they stopped for me. After that, I bought some winter tires and had them studded. I still don't trust them to keep me completely out of danger, though. It's advisable to know your limits and play it smart.

[MineralMan]

17. My car has stability control and abs brakes.

My goal is always not to have either activate. I got new tires today, though, so I pushed a little to see when the would kick in. On an empty side street of course. The new tire are definitely better.