Traffic at a standstill in Cornwall and Devon

[Manicminer]

Just seen the news. It looks like people can't drive in snow these days.
Is it lack of experience or is snow of the wrong type?

[Bishops Finger]

Lack of experience...but I wouldn't like to be stuck on the A30 nr Jamaica Inn

[TULL]

people just havnt got a clue what gear they should be in, they just keep putting on more gas

[hobbit]

Too much media hype, not enough confidence or common sense

[denviks]

apparently i have heard that when you learn to drive now adays they dont teech them to use the gears to slow down. they are taught to use the brakes  :shock: ...how true this is i dont know.,.....would cause some problems i would say in the weather.
i spent quite a few years in germany so this kind of weather was the norm in the winter and you learn to drive in it every day. the only problem came when i came back to the uk.....most people here just dont know what to do with ice and snow...... :(

[laser_jock99]

There are not enough 4wd drive cars- thats the problem. We've been told we don't need 4wd in this country!!!

A decade of mild winters hasn't helped either.

[Range Rover Blues]

apparently i have heard that when you learn to drive now adays they dont teech them to use the gears to slow down. they are taught to use the brakes  :shock: ...how true this is i dont know.,.....would cause some problems i would say in the weather.
i spent quite a few years in germany so this kind of weather was the norm in the winter and you learn to drive in it every day. the only problem came when i came back to the uk.....most people here just dont know what to do with ice and snow...... :(

Absolutely true, nearly failed my part 2 ADI test for that.  Ridiculous in my opinion, engine braking in the Deisel I was driving is uterly free, cheaper than wearing out the brakes.  On a petrol engine the story is different, it can lead to higher emissions.  Even so a classic case of those who are in charge not knowing enough of the facts.

[H]

apparently i have heard that when you learn to drive now adays they dont teech them to use the gears to slow down. they are taught to use the brakes  :shock: ...how true this is i dont know.,.....would cause some problems i would say in the weather.
i spent quite a few years in germany so this kind of weather was the norm in the winter and you learn to drive in it every day. the only problem came when i came back to the uk.....most people here just dont know what to do with ice and snow...... :(

I can confirm this is true and has been for the last 8 years at least my father is a driving instructor and the current and correct teaching for a test is to stop in the gear your in "because modern braking systems are good enough" I personally always slow down through the gears even in the rangie and shes automatic.

H

[Spooky]

Lack of experience...but I wouldn't like to be stuck on the A30 nr Jamaica Inn

Hmmm, the hills on that part of the A30 are fairly steep, and coupled with the lack of ability of the average motorist, it's easy to see why the road's completely blocked ... :roll:

[TUFFTEE]

i spent quite a few years in germany so this kind of weather was the norm in the winter and you learn to drive in it every day. the only problem came when i came back to the uk.....most people here just dont know what to do with ice and snow...... :(

I agree With Kev! As i have a Similar Background!
 Plus Back in the 80's i used to drive from Gatwick to Moscow Leningrad and Kiev All year round Without even one Snow chain on the Wagon!

Because of the Lack of white Stuff this country see's No Wonder they have'nt got a clue? Andv the Country comes to a standstill?

[rollazuki]

My old advanced driving instructor used the phrase 'brake pads are cheaper than clutches' for a reason to use brakes only.
Engine braking keeps the wheels spinning doesnt it though, bit like abs. Its got to be better

[V8MoneyPit]

The only reason I can think of for using brakes in icy conditions is to warn people behind that you are slowing down (brake lights).

So, I would always advise a combination of engine braking and light foot braking.

[hobbit]

My old advanced driving instructor used the phrase 'brake pads are cheaper than clutches' for a reason to use brakes only.
Engine braking keeps the wheels spinning doesnt it though, bit like abs. Its got to be better

Brake pads are cheaper, but using the car in front as a bump stop is not

[thermidorthelobster]

i spent quite a few years in germany so this kind of weather was the norm in the winter and you learn to drive in it every day. the only problem came when i came back to the uk.....most people here just dont know what to do with ice and snow...... :(

I was in South Africa last year in an uncharacteristic rainy period.  The drivers there had no idea how to drive in rain.  It was carnage.  Almost like a demolition derby, driving down the motorway.  Even the breakdown trucks were crashing into each other.

[defuzz]

most of the problems I encountered yesterday weren't due to the voluem of snow but due to everyone deciding to get out of town at the same time, a couple of accidents here and there just added to it, all the back lanes were virtually empty, everyone in their euroboxes were too scared to use them, of course those that did soon found little clios don't go up snowy hills as well as us smug bar stewards in our 4x4s.....

I of course ignored all advice not to travel and wandered round the back roads for a while after giving mates lifts home,  ended up giving 2 people jump starts, helped 1 car out of a ditch and drove a woman and her elderly mother home after they dumped their car on the verge.


I'm glad I didn't get caught in too much traffic, it would have been really frustrating to be stuck in a 4x4 on the moor but not able to use it because of all the muppets blocking you in.

[Stormin]

The problem with modern cars, especially petrol ones, is that they don't have any engine braking.  I find I use the brakes far more in our Scenic, than I do with the 90.  And it's not because I drive it faster.  It just doesn't slow down.   No snow round here. Yet!

[Bush Tucker Man]

Lack of experience...but I wouldn't like to be stuck on the A30 nr Jamaica Inn

Got to agree, a few years ago (must have been 94-96?) when we had the Punto TD,  I remember passing Suzuki's etc.... as I knew how to drive in snow & they didn't, even passing on hills as they slid into the verges :lol: