Winter Wonderland: Blizzard Video from Last Week

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers around a blizzard video showcasing driving challenges during severe winter conditions. Key insights include the importance of airing down tires to enhance traction and the critical driving technique of avoiding brake pressure during skids. The video highlights specific vehicles, including a pickup and a Jeep, navigating difficult terrain, demonstrating the necessity of proper winter driving skills. The discussion emphasizes the dangers of winter driving, particularly for those unaccustomed to such conditions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vehicle dynamics and friction coefficients
  • Knowledge of winter driving techniques and safety measures
  • Familiarity with tire pressure adjustments for improved traction
  • Experience with emergency vehicle control during skids
NEXT STEPS
  • Research tire pressure adjustments for winter driving
  • Learn advanced winter driving techniques and safety protocols
  • Study vehicle dynamics related to friction and traction
  • Explore emergency maneuvers for regaining control during skids
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Drivers in snowy regions, automotive safety instructors, and anyone interested in improving their winter driving skills.

BobG
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A video from the blizzard we had last week. My brother and I drove all night to get into town just that morning to sunny skies (we knew the storm was coming and didn't want to get caught at Raton Pass near the Colorado/New Mexico border). The storm managed to hit just in time for rush hour traffic.

Caution: strong language in video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5exATIaQiI

No one's heard of airing down? I think quite a few would have made it if they let some air of their tires to increase their static coefficient of friction. Once they start sliding and start using their kinetic coefficient of friction, though, you can forget it.

Watch the pickup and the Jeep coming up the hill at 1:25. They'll be baack! The guy in the blue car does a pretty nice job. He gets hit in the rear and knocked off line, but then manages to recover.
 
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Thats an expensive car park.
 
Ah, yes. The "Icy death from above" type of snow. I'm familiar with it (although it's been years, since moving to California). I think some of you might have heard me discuss that on chat. Oh, the memories.

A word of advice for those who haven't grown up with such weather:

If you ever find yourself in such a situation, do not apply pressure to the brakes unless the car is under control. And even then, only apply the slightest pressure. And if the car starts sliding again *no more breaks*! (Which is also a reason why you want to drive slow in such weather in the first place. :smile:). Of course, sometimes, there's just nothing you can do, breaks or not. But if you want any hope of ever regaining control, let off the breaks! And of course if you have the foresight and opportunity to shift into neutral, that might just also save the day (that might have been the only recourse for those sliding backwards in the video).

The really scary thing is that here in Southern California, everybody gets into accidents just because of the rain. I imagine if it snowed here...god help us all ... god help us all.

[Edit: Or at least ease off the breaks until the sliding stops. But by no means push on the pedal harder! Guwaaa! :cry:]
 
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