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Martian · 03-01-2006, 06:58 PM

big_bubba : I have take no offense. At the same time, I firmly believe that part of being a good driver is recognizing and using the appropriate tools available to you. I'll use my own accident as an example.

Back in December I was driving out on a back road. I was doing the limit (80 km/h) on clean, dry pavement when I came out of a flat curve. I couldn't see the road surface ahead of me so I didn't realize that the road just outside the bend had some loose powder on it. Not a lot, but enough that I lost traction. Control at that point is marginal and I wasn't able to keep myself from going off the road. The best I was able to manage was to slide it sideways in order to stop as quickly as possible (a bad idea in most vehicles I realize, but my Monte Carlo has a low centre of gravity and isn't likely to roll at that speed).

The fault on that one was the farmer who didn't put up his fencing and therefore allowed snow to drift onto the road, but the point is that there's precious few who could've maintained control in that situation. It's the first and only accident I've had and I fully realize that the reason I had it was because of my tires. I'm riding on summer tires for the same reason you did; I can't afford to buy snow tires right now. If I'd had the cash available to put them on my car I would've and the whole thing likely wouldnt've happened.

It's my experience that there's a large group who's very vocal about driver ability. I've found that these tend to be young men who have little actual claim to back up their boasting. Personally, I take issue with ABS and don't like to use it, but at the same time I recognize the merit for those who don't know how to brake on the threshold and maintain control. And snow tires in bad weather are always a good idea.

There is no substitute for driving ability, but there are supplements. I think part of being a good driver is recognizing that.

03-01-2006, 06:58 PM	#41 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	big_bubba : I have take no offense. At the same time, I firmly believe that part of being a good driver is recognizing and using the appropriate tools available to you. I'll use my own accident as an example. Back in December I was driving out on a back road. I was doing the limit (80 km/h) on clean, dry pavement when I came out of a flat curve. I couldn't see the road surface ahead of me so I didn't realize that the road just outside the bend had some loose powder on it. Not a lot, but enough that I lost traction. Control at that point is marginal and I wasn't able to keep myself from going off the road. The best I was able to manage was to slide it sideways in order to stop as quickly as possible (a bad idea in most vehicles I realize, but my Monte Carlo has a low centre of gravity and isn't likely to roll at that speed). The fault on that one was the farmer who didn't put up his fencing and therefore allowed snow to drift onto the road, but the point is that there's precious few who could've maintained control in that situation. It's the first and only accident I've had and I fully realize that the reason I had it was because of my tires. I'm riding on summer tires for the same reason you did; I can't afford to buy snow tires right now. If I'd had the cash available to put them on my car I would've and the whole thing likely wouldnt've happened. It's my experience that there's a large group who's very vocal about driver ability. I've found that these tend to be young men who have little actual claim to back up their boasting. Personally, I take issue with ABS and don't like to use it, but at the same time I recognize the merit for those who don't know how to brake on the threshold and maintain control. And snow tires in bad weather are always a good idea. There is no substitute for driving ability, but there are supplements. I think part of being a good driver is recognizing that. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame Last edited by Martian; 03-01-2006 at 07:00 PM..