Road chaos today

[Cristian]

The snow is actually well over 3ft deep where I am and it's likely to be there for days.

I said England not Scotland. Fair enough, up north it may be bad, but in the vast majority of places the snow on the road rarely goes above 2 inches. It is still more than enough to cause chaos on summer tyres, it would hardly be noticed on winter ones.

Yes because im going to go and spend £200 for tyres/wheels that would only probably see about 50 miles use?

Cost/Benefit analysis says no

not really, you can use them from September till March, they will be much better than summer tyres when it's just below zero outside and there won't be any comparrison on ice and snow.

 

[Lum]

Apparently someone on the radio up in Scotland today was complaining that a gritter came down her road, immediately followed by a road sweeper.

You can't say that level of stupidity would happen in Germany.

 

[zetec452]

As a starting point for the solution, you should be asking the question of why motorists in the usually affected area haven't coughed up for a new set of cheap steelies with winter tyres. If they did that, would solve most of the problems.

They are starting to make winter tyres law in Canada. Quebec have passed a law that mandates winter tyres, Ontario are considering it. I know we get a lot more snow here but snow tyres really to make a difference and if you are doing a lot of driving are worth it regardless of how little snow you get.

The problem with the UK I feel is that people just won't slow down and take their time. I did an average of 20 kmph to work and back yesterday. Nobody is in a rush here, they just want to complete the journey.

 

[Podmonkey]

Went out for the first decent drive yesterday since the snow started (had to go pick up a package from dpd) which is usually around a 20 minute drive up the m1 - took an hr to get the the m1, the parkway out of sheffield is jammed all the way along, got to the end to find there is 'road works' and by that i mean theve coned off half the lanes but not actually started and work causing huge queues for no reason. This weather does seem to bring out the worst in many drivers, so many just seem much more selfish, aggressive, impatient and plain dangerous.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Apparently someone on the radio up in Scotland today was complaining that a gritter came down her road, immediately followed by a road sweeper.

You can't say that level of stupidity would happen in Germany.

You cant say it would happen here either, what a ridiculous story.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

Apparently someone on the radio up in Scotland today was complaining that a gritter came down her road, immediately followed by a road sweeper.

You can't say that level of stupidity would happen in Germany.

I can see the logic as the slush/water left over may well still freeze at -10C so best to take it off the road alltogether?

Maybe another gritter came later and with less water the same salt was giving a much high concentration to water that was present and hence lowered its freezing point further.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Yes because im going to go and spend £200 for tyres/wheels that would only probably see about 50 miles use?

Cost/Benefit analysis says no

And there's your answer from a representative member of the general public (don't worry, not trying to pick a scrap with you personally, just using this as a good example).
Also bear in mind that CR is regular on these forums and should also be aware by now that winter tyres can be used for several months and NOT just for snowy conditions. So picture the level of response you're likely to get from the average muppet in the street.

 

[[TW]Fox]

And there's your answer from a representative member of the general public (don't worry, not trying to pick a scrap with you personally, just using this as a good example).
Also bear in mind that CR is regular on these forums and should also be aware by now that winter tyres can be used for several months and NOT just for snowy conditions. So picture the level of response you're likely to get from the average muppet in the street.

You can hardly blame people for taking that attitude though. I don't have winter tyres yet I've had absolutely zero issues so far this winter, as per every winter I've ever driven in. It just isnt a problem. Why? Because it hasn't really snowed here. So most people WILL equate winter tyres with snow simply because when it isnt snowing, they dont have any tyre related issues. 90% of people on this forum dont have winter tyres and, if they've had no snow, presumably are not regretting not spending £500 on some.

If i found myself spinning the wheels up on every junction and triggering ABS at the first sign of touching the brake pedal I'd think differently, but I don't, so I'm more than happy to continue with what I consider to be high performance wet weather tyres.

I've actually been amazed with the tyre performance I've had so far this winter - with the constant winter tyre fights in mind I've been actively testing my tyres performance where safe just to see how it copes - and it's great. It even took me over a fresh helping of snow last week (The only and only snow flurry to hit Plymouth, lol).

I have absolutely no doubt they would be useless in proper snow, but proper snow is still rare (Look at the forecast for the next few weeks and you'll see the snow is going - how often does THAT happen in proper cold countries?).

 

[Lum]

You cant say it would happen here either, what a ridiculous story.

Apparently what is supposed to happen is that the grit will help thaw out all the debris that's frozen into the road surface, then an hour later the road sweeper picks it up as normal.

However the gritters have been breaking down and generally having problems so they were an hour behind schedule, but the road sweepers were still on time and nobody thought to ask them to wait.

 

[FreeStream]

And there's your answer from a representative member of the general public (don't worry, not trying to pick a scrap with you personally, just using this as a good example).
Also bear in mind that CR is regular on these forums and should also be aware by now that winter tyres can be used for several months and NOT just for snowy conditions. So picture the level of response you're likely to get from the average muppet in the street.

To be honest, I went out in the snow earlier this year, passed people who were stuck and actually attempted to get myself stuck in a car park (Another way out if I really messed up ).

I didn't get stuck.

So I'm more than happy that my ability and car is up to the task of getting about in these conditions. However I avoid driving in these conditions as much as I can, and hence i've done 0 miles in the last few weeks...

On a side note, what is the difference between all season tyres and the others? I can't remember what I fitted to mine last year, but I remember them being the best for my size... IE Not ditchfinders!

Also, I would say I'm far from the average 'muppet' in the street. If I wasn't a student and needed my car to get to work then I'd invest.

But as I don't need my car, I've proved to myself that the car and tyres are capable if I need to get about in these conditions and that if I can avoid driving in these conditions, I won't.

Simples

 

[Jonny69]

The roads are almost completely clear of snow and ice down here today. Considering it looked like this 5 days ago:

 

[233]

bloody typical

had a hire this afternoon up to Fort William for those who dont know where it is its a remote location on the west coast of Scotland

my route included drops at Garelochhead and Oban, both of which are hardly high population centres. no hassle no trouble except in Glasgow, both going out of and returning too. bloody city dwellers. what shocked me though was how clear the A82 was well gritted and completely clear, plenty of snow all the way up but the road was fine. for which i have to say hats off to the local authorities for doing what their supposed to do . then you hit the central belt and the busiest motorway in Scotland (the M8) is shut again for a second night .

 

[Amps]

My work place in Stepps (Glasgow) was hit badly with snow yesterday so the office closed at about half past ten. Luckily it did as an hour or so later the m80 was impassible.
Fortunately I managed to get within 5 or 6 miles from my home where I decided to abandon my car in a quite village. I then attempted to walk/hitch the last 5 or 6 miles home along country roads. Luckily for me I managed to hitch a ride from a new Land Rover Sport within 5 minutes of walking which wasjust amazing in the snow.

 

[Sonea Fifer]

Cant believe the M8 is still closed (J1-J5)

I drove the A89 last night between Bathgate and Airdrie which is the suggested diversion and it was the most stressful driving experience I've had in over 20 years of driving due to the road conditions. There's going to be lots of accidents if rush hour traffic opt for this route!

Looking forward to this cold weather and snow finally lifting!

 

[Begbie]

Can't beleive how bad the roads are round the central belt, it is pretty crazy.

 

[jamief]

bloody typical

had a hire this afternoon up to Fort William for those who dont know where it is its a remote location on the west coast of Scotland

my route included drops at Garelochhead and Oban, both of which are hardly high population centres. no hassle no trouble except in Glasgow, both going out of and returning too. bloody city dwellers. what shocked me though was how clear the A82 was well gritted and completely clear, plenty of snow all the way up but the road was fine. for which i have to say hats off to the local authorities for doing what their supposed to do . then you hit the central belt and the busiest motorway in Scotland (the M8) is shut again for a second night .

Roads are generally worst in high traffic areas, the volume of traffic causes the snow to compact down into ice, and the -15C weather in the central belt has prevented ice/grit from having any effect. Its nothing to do with "city dwellers".

 

[Dangerous Dave]

I almost got caught up in the chaos however I was lucky and was on the M8 at a section where only one lane was clear and being used I put on snow chains and went down the empty uncleared lane and still made it into work. I stayed in a hotel on Monday night rather than even attempt to get home as the centre of Edinburgh was gridlock. All I can say is be prepared I have snow chains, steel snow shovel, plastic snow plough, tow rope, overnight bag and sleeping bag in the car not expensive equipment to have and I have used all bar the sleeping bag.

Certainly cold this morning -19c showing on my grilfriend's car and it wasn't happy starting I think the diesel may have gelled up. I now have to clear out the other side of the garage so I can get it in it although I don't know how much this will help as my car is in it and showing -8c.

The status of the M8 is also a joke the news and traffic Scotland site is showing it as closed west bound yet looking at the traffic cameras cars are using it and the road doesn't look any more covered than the open east bound side.

 

[whitecrook]

Foxtrot did you go to the fort via lochlomond side and then through glencoe? Or did you you take the a85 to Oban and then the a828 north?

Folk out int country do tend to cope a bit better than on the cities but to be fair look at that snow map that was posted the other day. Oban and mull didnt even have any snow


I'll be heading to oban next weekend. Don't expect to have any problems.

 

[233]

Foxtrot did you go to the fort via lochlomond side and then through glencoe? Or did you you take the a85 to Oban and then the a828 north?

Folk out int country do tend to cope a bit better than on the cities but to be fair look at that snow map that was posted the other day. Oban and mull didnt even have any snow


I'll be heading to oban next weekend. Don't expect to have any problems.

both

went up via oban and the a85/a828 then came back down the a82 in respectable 2 hours

 

[shifty_uk]

Just ventured out for the first time, a journey to the local gym which takes 5 minutes took me 35. Was quicker on the way back right enough but still, it's hellish. Carriageways, slip roads, streets, the lot have abandoned cars everywhere, makes driving even more of a nightmare - Single lanes, giving way, having to reverse all the time.