I do !
But I also have a policy that i'm not getting on the interstate during a weather event like this.
I95 shut down in N. VA since yesterday.
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But I also have a policy that i'm not getting on the interstate during a weather event like this.
Really? I've intentionally gotten on an interstate in weather like that. Nothing quite like driving on I-80 over Donner Summit in near white out conditions and trucks going 40 MPH with their tired chained up.
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How'd all them electric cars work out ?
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.
They'll actually keep someone warm for hours with the battery providing heat more efficiently than a gasoline engine just idling for heat, although the cold weather might do a job on range. There are drivers in Canada who have figured out what to do when stuck in cold weather.
https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/how-long-can-a-tesla-keep-you-warm-if-stuck-in-winter.87630/
But this is I-95 and there are charging stations all over. Once they start moving again they should have no problem finding a place to charge.
https://www.tesla.com/findus/location/supercharger/fredericksburgvasupercharger
https://evstationslocal.com/states/virginia/quantico/
I'd hate to get stuck between exits. Either due to a backup like that or the highway getting shut down. Here the county and municpal plow drivers pride themselves on how great of a job they do.
The NYS DOT would do a good job, but the powers that be in albany don't allow them to. Our former governor would love to gloat at how often he would pull the plows and shut the interstate.
Plus if there's a backup on a surface street, I can back up 1/4 mile and take another one. Eventually I'll find a route that works. Beats sitting on an interstate for hours!
That sounds uncomfortable. I'd just run off the side and do my thing. I wouldn't want to be sitting like that for an unknown amount of time.
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Yeah … lady on the radio (stuck in this) just said shyness eventually went away
I was driving from Yosemite to Reno. Made sure I had enough gas by filling up in Sacramento where gas was cheaper than some nowheresville in the Sierra. But I-80 from Colfax to about Reno is horrendous. The road is kind of weird, with a washboard surface from all the chains being used until they decide to resurface every few years.
I've certainly been behind a Caltrans or county plow before, and there is no better surface in those conditions than from following one. Not only do they clear snow, but their chains will break up ice to the point where it's easier to just follow the tracks. However, at a certain point they were going a little bit too slow and we'd pass then anyways. But I noticed that most people followed tracks. Also - rumble strips are great when it comes to driving on snow where you can't see the center line.
These are pretty good at clearing snow, and they've got diamond patten chains.
Rural area, not much around.Sounds like some people are just leaving their cars behind and walking to where they can get services since this is a pretty populated area with restaurants and other businesses. I'm wondering how many ran out of fuel trying to stay warm or to keep the power on to listen to the radio or charge electronics. AAA contractors should be out there ready to distribute emergency fuel once this clears up, because they're going to get a bunch of calls all at once. I'm wondering if it might be possible to get fuel delivered now since there will likely be some vehicles with no fuel and thus no heat.
I know there are some who looks at what we have in California where I-80 around Donner Pass was closed for days, but there are conditions where it's just too unsafe to plow. Not sure that the deal is there because I though it snows a lot of Northern Virginia and they even salt the roads.
As for the other stuff - whatever happens happens. I think at a certain point they'll treat it like people in the backcountry hiking where there are no toilets. It would make no sense to penalize anyone for it. That being said, maybe it would make sense to have a kit that includes stuff like Mylar blankets and wag bags. These things will actually store more than just pee.
Zee09
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I need the 2 gallon sizeSounds like some people are just leaving their cars behind and walking to where they can get services since this is a pretty populated area with restaurants and other businesses. I'm wondering how many ran out of fuel trying to stay warm or to keep the power on to listen to the radio or charge electronics. AAA contractors should be out there ready to distribute emergency fuel once this clears up, because they're going to get a bunch of calls all at once. I'm wondering if it might be possible to get fuel delivered now since there will likely be some vehicles with no fuel and thus no heat.
I know there are some who looks at what we have in California where I-80 around Donner Pass was closed for days, but there are conditions where it's just too unsafe to plow. Not sure that the deal is there because I though it snows a lot of Northern Virginia and they even salt the roads.
As for the other stuff - whatever happens happens. I think at a certain point they'll treat it like people in the backcountry hiking where there are no toilets. It would make no sense to penalize anyone for it. That being said, maybe it would make sense to have a kit that includes stuff like Mylar blankets and wag bags. These things will actually store more than just pee.
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They say it is backed up 50 miles.
This is a bad situation.
This is a bad situation.
Which part though? I understand it's a huge backup, and some are stuck around populated areas or at least areas with services.
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I just hope they have a way to get gas, or stay warm and fed while they wait to return to their cars.
It’s moving again, but I was thinking location along a 50 mile backup might matter.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/04/us/i-95-closed-snowstorm-winter.html
So here’s something from the same story that I posted earlier. They’ve been towing vehicles out, providing supplies, and I guess they’re working on clearing abandoned vehicles. I’m wondering what would work best since that might damage transmissions.
At a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Virginia state officials said that they had been working to clear several hundred vehicles off I-95. Fewer than 20 vehicles remained on the interstate by 5 p.m. All vehicles had been checked and those still on roadways had been abandoned.
It's not really a big deal, lived in an area with snow and ice my whole life. Never got stuck on the interstate. The other key is to pay attention to the weather and not drive in those conditions. I have driven in a storm on the highway before though, normally it's about 65 but with the heavy snow and not being plowed, going 20 was like speeding, most people were doing like 15-20. That one stretch of road which you normally cover in 15 minutes took almost an hour.
If you really get snow and ice, you'd switch to snow tires in the winter. These disasters always happen in areas that don't get a lot of snow and ice. It's just another day when stuff like that happens in areas with snow and ice. People there already know how to drive in those conditions and many either have snow tires or good all season tires.
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.
