Guest 686- Registered: 5 May 2009
- Posts: 556
#1
I've just had to drive out River to deliver some milk to my parents and I got really annoyed at the stupidity of some drivers (and a few pedestrians for that matter).
If you have to use the car then there are a few things you can do to make your trip a little easier.
- 1st & 2nd gear ONLY
- LOW engine speed and don't rev the engine
- Avoid using the brakes - even ABS won't help you very much.
Keep moving, slow and steady. Give other road users a lot of room.
I watched a 4x4 struggle up Crabble Road and fail to keep moving forwards but slipped all over the place with wheels spinning - too much power being used. Brute force was the wrong way of doing things.
If you're using low engine speed then pedestrians may not hear you coming and watch for untethered animals too.
Phil West
If at first you don't succeed, use a BIGGER hammer!!
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#2
Also- if you have a choice of fresh snow or previously flattened snow, choose the fresh. Traction is much better.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#3
judging by the places some cars were parked it looks like many saw sense and parked safely on double yellows and walked home after the snow got too bad.
#4
You are a card, Howard!
So, working from home tomorrow - no way will I attempt darkest Essex in this!! M2 or M20, M25, Dartford, villages.......I don't think so!
Guest 686- Registered: 5 May 2009
- Posts: 556
#5
I checked the M20 cameras earlier today and the road was clear of snow. It was clear of traffic too for that matter!!
I do find
http://www.highways.gov.uk/traffic/traffic.aspx most useful for checking up on motorways.
Phil West
If at first you don't succeed, use a BIGGER hammer!!
Guest 694- Registered: 22 Mar 2010
- Posts: 778
#6
I managed to drive from Dover to Detling and back and the worse bit was some idiot behind me and driving too close.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#7
i hope everyone is safe indoors now, the lovely white snow has turned into a death trap as expected.
about half an hour ago i heard excessive engine noise looked out and there was a car in the middle of the road with its wheels spinning, eventually a few of us got it moving.
just then another car done a left turn into clarendon road very slowly and continued to turn left into the kerb.
the roads are totally treacherous for motorists and pededstrians with cars likely to go up on the pavements.
Guest 686- Registered: 5 May 2009
- Posts: 556
#8
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16887064
Just to back up what I posted at the head of this thread!
Phil West
If at first you don't succeed, use a BIGGER hammer!!
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#9
I don't think I will be getting out of our road tomorrow morning as I don't think I will have neighbours to push me again !!
Been nice knowing you :)
#10
Two words, or rather three: ice, other drivers. I am staying here!
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#11
To me there is a rather baffling logic in keeping the main roads perfectly clear when the majority of drivers are unable to reach them because their road is never gritted.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#12
i think because the main roads are used by buses and commercial vehicles, having said that there are still cars doing "figures of eight" outside my house.
one bloke was doing a basil fawlty with his car after it refused to move any further.
Guest 665- Registered: 24 Mar 2008
- Posts: 345
#13
#10 I quite agree. It's the ice that scares me, and other drivers , no matter how careful you might be. Unfortunately I still have to go in, as attending a course I can't miss, otherwise I would work from home. I will probably be fine once out of my road but not sure if I will get my car out. At least this year I have a shovel so will give it a good go!
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#14
Won't Rick dig you out Claire ?
I heard that Vic was doing his bit on Sunday - clearing his neighbours' paths and driveways - including Sue's, so a BIG well done Vic. and with your bad leg too.
I have to try and get Jean to KCH this morning so hope the road at the back of me is driveable and not too much like an ice-rink.
It is on a bus-route, but never cleared or gritted.
Roger
#15
Take care, people! I am lucky that I can stay put, but feel for those of you who cannot.
#16
I am not trying the roads today but will try the train . if thats no good then a 2 and a half hour bus journey awaits , deep joy . As others have said its not the main roads that seem to be the problem , but the smaller local roads .
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#17
I've just taken my car out of our garage and as soon as it touched the path, it slid all over the place - thankfully not into another car. Scary though.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#18
hopefully things will improve as the day goes by, this gritter lorry was around at 9 a.m.
Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
#19
I drove home at 0630 on Sunday morning from Dover to Deal, it was the worse drive in over 30 years of doing the journey. I downsized my car last summer and boy did I miss the extra weight of my old Ford Galaxy as the car struggled to get a grip on the snow in -3c temperatures, roll on Summer!
Audere est facere.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#20
my road was clear by about 11 a.m. don't think it has been gritted just traffic clearing it.
