I95 shut down in N. VA since yesterday.

[y_p_w]

No idea, no kids.

Standard advice during the winter is not to let the gas level drop too low. I normally refuel at about 1/4 tank.

I've driven back to the San Francisco Bay Area from the Lake Tahoe or Reno area during winter. The big thing is that fuel is more expensive in the touristy areas, but it might be worth it compared to running out of fuel. I'll put my transmission in a lower gear for better control even though it eats more fuel. But if I just came back from playing in the snow, so I usually would have all the winter clothes I might need to wait out a storm. Not sure what it would be like with a commute. The weird thing for me was always bundling up then going indoors where it was warm.

 

[UG_Passat]

It might as well be 2 inches of snow. If the surface is wet ice underneath, even in a 4x4 you're not going up a small hill without chains or at least studs which nobody around here has anymore. That stretch of 95 has many long upgrades.

That stretch of 95 is still relatively flat. Sure you might be climbing a hill, that the grade is very small.

Go to Manassas Park, and Manassas Dr. by the VRE station has a long steep hill that can be challenging for most drivers, whom are ill-equipped for the snow.

 

[UG_Passat]

I guess it might be possible with real studless ice tires, but absolutely nothing will bite better on ice than chains. Preferably something that has contact contact with the road like diagonal cables (like Super Z) or diamond pattern (Thule). I haven't tried using ladder chains/cables (have a set but never needed to install them), but I understand that they have a really weird feel where they have a massive crunch and then slip that repeats. Not sure if a slip and grip approach is really the best way.

I have a pair of these. Not with winter tires, but if I ever had an emergency where there was ice I could just put them on and probably get around just fine. I've installed them in my driveway and it's a lot easier than old fashioned ladder chains/cables. They have three connection points - one at the bottom and two at the top. Then the rubber chain tightener removes all slack and they never have to be adjusted. While my hands may be numb after doing it in real winter conditions without gloves, I have no doubt I could do it properly. Ladder chains I doubt, but then again I gave up on those.

The difference is, California has chain laws, which many people ignore for whatever reason that suits them. Out in the east coast, there is no chain law, requiring people to to install them, as determined by local authorities.

In a CA facebook group I'm in, the most common question is... I'm going to the ski resort... do I need chains?

But there are "Snow Emergency Routes" which require chains or "snow tires", but I've almost never seen a vehicle in chains during those conditions.

But most states, their definition of a snow tire is outdated, mainly requiring them to be "all-season" tires, no 3PMSF requirement.

 

[y_p_w]

The difference is, California has chain laws, which many people ignore for whatever reason that suits them. Out in the east coast, there is no chain law, requiring people to to install them, as determined by local authorities.

In a CA facebook group I'm in, the most common question is... I'm going to the ski resort... do I need chains?

But there are "Snow Emergency Routes" which require chains or "snow tires", but I've almost never seen a vehicle in chains during those conditions.

But most states, their definition of a snow tire is outdated, mainly requiring them to be "all-season" tires, no 3PMSF requirement.

The west coast in general has chain laws, although I'm not sure what the legality would be if there was suddenly an inch of ice throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and I had to take my wife to the hospital. But I did look it up, and it looks like the law would allow reasonable use when the conditions warrant it. Also studs.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/...vision=12.&title=&part=&chapter=5.&article=4.​

27454.​

A tire on a vehicle upon a highway shall not have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, ridge, bead, or any other protuberance of metal or wood that projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire.​

​

This section does not apply to any of the following:​

​

(a) Tire traction devices of reasonable size used to prevent skidding when upon wet surfaces or when upon snow or ice.​

​

(b) Pneumatic tires that have embedded therein wire not to exceed 0.075 of an inch in diameter and that are constructed so that under no conditions will the percentage of metal in contact with the roadway exceed 5 percent of the total tire area in contact with the roadway, except that during the first 1,000 miles of use or operation of the tire, the metal in contact with the roadway may exceed 5 percent of the tire area in contact with the roadway, but shall in no event exceed 20 percent of the area.​

 

[JustinH]

Just moved my southwest flight back east to Friday morning after the storm is all cleaned up. Nope don't want a layover in Baltimore for a few days.

 

[zzyzzx]

Has I-95 in VA cleared up yet?

 

[jonnied1]

The biggest problem would be ice. Maybe real ice tires would help, but studs or chains might be the only thing that works well enough for steering and stopping until the ice is gone. And even then vehicles are kind of stuck because most aren't going to have one of those and it's impossible to make other vehicles move. I have an AWD vehicle, but it's supposedly mandatory that I carry them when there are any posted chain conditions in my state. I'm not required to put them on. The conditions where AWD vehicles are required to chain up almost never happens because they choose to close down the roads. But they would be worth having if the conditions get really bad and I have to move to some other area that's safer. But I would worry about getting hit while installing the chains.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/glo...hen-winter-tires-arent-enough/article4182748/

If you ever saw the footage from the Portland, Oregon ice storm of 2008, there were plenty of drivers who thought that their AWD vehicles would get them going. There was one infamous Volvo SUV driver who kept on playing pinball with other vehicles. He was trying to power his way out of situations, but that only made it worse. Eventually he just gave up and let his Volvo slide down

Explain that to the insurance company.

 

[Slow Car Sport Mode]

Has I-95 in VA cleared up yet?

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[jstert]

i know i95 all too well. watch weather reports. have an emergency kit. keep gas tank no lower than half. bail out onto local roads in bad conditions. slow down. rely on your own noggin, skills and gut instincts, not the electronic nannies, when driving.

 

[PimTac]

No idea, no kids.

Standard advice during the winter is not to let the gas level drop too low. I normally refuel at about 1/4 tank.

This is a good point. People that live in areas with harsh winter weather or for that matter those who live in areas that see storms of any kind will keep their gas tanks topped off sooner. Extra clothing and supplies in the vehicle for when you get into these situations.

 

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

Rural area, not much around.

Except 2-3000 people within 100 mile radius with side by sides who would have most likely helped get to people if the local government would have asked.

 

[svtrit]

Except 2-3000 people within 100 mile radius with side by sides who would have most likely helped get to people if the local government would have asked.

Usually there are Jeep clubs that are looking for opportunities like this!!

I was wondering how it doesn't end up that people back out of this. The end of the line should get shorter and shorter as people back up. Are there few exits on that stretch? The reporting I heard made it sound like people were solely relying on help from others, and not trying to deal with the situation on their own. I wasn't in it, so I shouldn't speak too loudly, but it seems like an organized effort could have gotten people out.

I do feel badly for everyone and hope it never happens to me. My wife once found a jar of peanut butter and a spoon in the center console of my work truck. This is exactly why that was there.....along with water and Coca-Cola in a cooler. I don't drink pop, but a few cans would get you through a situation like this. I also won't be tempted to open a can of peanut butter and eat it like I would a box of snacks, which would not be there when I needed it.

 

[UG_Passat]

The west coast in general has chain laws, although I'm not sure what the legality would be if there was suddenly an inch of ice throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and I had to take my wife to the hospital. But I did look it up, and it looks like the law would allow reasonable use when the conditions warrant it. Also studs.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/...vision=12.&title=&part=&chapter=5.&article=4.​

27454.​

A tire on a vehicle upon a highway shall not have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, ridge, bead, or any other protuberance of metal or wood that projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire.​

​

This section does not apply to any of the following:​

​

(a) Tire traction devices of reasonable size used to prevent skidding when upon wet surfaces or when upon snow or ice.​

​

(b) Pneumatic tires that have embedded therein wire not to exceed 0.075 of an inch in diameter and that are constructed so that under no conditions will the percentage of metal in contact with the roadway exceed 5 percent of the total tire area in contact with the roadway, except that during the first 1,000 miles of use or operation of the tire, the metal in contact with the roadway may exceed 5 percent of the tire area in contact with the roadway, but shall in no event exceed 20 percent of the area.​

Most people in the Bay area would be totally unprepared, except for the ones whom regularly travel to the mountains to enjoy winter. They would likely have chains handy.

Also note, the CA law does say studded tires are not a substitute for chains.

Yes, one winter, I saw a SUV on studded tires in Los Angeles... there's that sound of studded tires on dry asphalt that you can't mistake for anything else.

 

[Andrew1972]

I’d leave my car and walk.

 

[Wolf359]

I’d leave my car and walk.

Well that's what a lot of people did, abandoned their cars so they had to tow those vehicles.

 

[y_p_w]

Explain that to the insurance company.

There's certainly video of that to explain what happened. There usually isn't for most damage although I suppose dash cams have improved the chances.

 

[y_p_w]

Most people in the Bay area would be totally unprepared, except for the ones whom regularly travel to the mountains to enjoy winter. They would likely have chains handy.

Also note, the CA law does say studded tires are not a substitute for chains.

Yes, one winter, I saw a SUV on studded tires in Los Angeles... there's that sound of studded tires on dry asphalt that you can't mistake for anything else.

I left my chains in my trunk for a year once. It was mostly because I didn't bother to take them out, but it sure would have been handy if there was a freak ice storm.

The other issue is that studs aren't really useful on snow. The work on ice by digging in and breaking it up.

There are some equivalents for shoes. I've tried walking on ice and it's pretty bad. I've bought these things called Yak Trax, which are basically coils similar to the coils on some tire cables. They didn't seem to work too well on a carpet (never actually used them outdoors), but I think they're designed to work better when roughed up. The current version seems a little different than what I bought. I heard it worked better on deep snow than on ice.

The other alternative is mini-crampons. There are a whole host of different types, including the equivalent of screws in a base. I've even heard of some people just tapping screws into their shoes if there's enough tread there, but it seems like there's a risk of them punching into the foot. And finally there are some that use tungsten carbide studs. I tried those once. They weren't quite like tire studs that eventually wear flush with the tread. But on an icy sidewalk I stayed firmly planted as long as I kept my foot flat.

 

[Andrew1972]

Well that's what a lot of people did, abandoned their cars so they had to tow those vehicles.

I went off the road in nutty snow storm in my early 20swhere ski area got nearly 2.5 feet. Best thing I did was pull my ski gear out and stood by vehicle and someone picked me up. End of day I retrieved my towed vehicle at ski area lot(I left key in ignition) and AAA paid for it all.

 

[UG_Passat]

I left my chains in my trunk for a year once. It was mostly because I didn't bother to take them out, but it sure would have been handy if there was a freak ice storm.

The other issue is that studs aren't really useful on snow. The work on ice by digging in and breaking it up.

There are some equivalents for shoes. I've tried walking on ice and it's pretty bad. I've bought these things called Yak Trax, which are basically coils similar to the coils on some tire cables. They didn't seem to work too well on a carpet (never actually used them outdoors), but I think they're designed to work better when roughed up. The current version seems a little different than what I bought. I heard it worked better on deep snow than on ice.

The other alternative is mini-crampons. There are a whole host of different types, including the equivalent of screws in a base. I've even heard of some people just tapping screws into their shoes if there's enough tread there, but it seems like there's a risk of them punching into the foot. And finally there are some that use tungsten carbide studs. I tried those once. They weren't quite like tire studs that eventually wear flush with the tread. But on an icy sidewalk I stayed firmly planted as long as I kept my foot flat.

Yes, I have yaktrax for my shoes, back when I lived in the east coast, for shoveling my driveway.

 

[Merek]

We've known for a few days prior to this that inclement weather was coming so people didn't check the forecast beforehand and had already made their plans beforehand and then got caught up in it. I know the state is now mostly using a salt water brine solution very similar to pickle juice which would've easily washed away due to the rain. My friend just came back from FL but came home on the day before and he even knew about the bad weather they were calling for, he wouldn't have went that way though and would've switched over to 64 in Richmond.

Unless you live out in the sticks VDOT actually does a fairly decent job of at least keeping the main roads cleared. If you live out in the county then you're pretty much on your own until you get to the main highway.