Monday, December 5, 2011

Number three

Lincoln's snowfall on Saturday didn't amount to much.  By Nebraska standards, a couple inches of wet slushy stuff on December 3rd is par for the course.  Nonetheless, it was the first snowfall of the season, and like every year I can remember, the first snow resulted in chaos on the roads.  There were 78 traffic crashes in Lincoln Saturday, which ranks as number three for 2011.  They happened all over town.


The two leading days for traffic crashes in 2011 were earlier this year.  There were 123 on February 24th, and 98 on January 31st.  Unlike those days, however, this past Saturday was a day when most driving was optional.  It's not like rapidly-deteriorating street conditions caught us when a storm struck at rush hour on a weekday.

I hate to whine, but boy, did I see some idiotic driving.  I watched a guy yesterday who was tailgating the pickup in front of his so closely he's lucky that he didn't hook his front bumper on the trailer hitch.  And here's an idea: how about leaving half a car length in between you and the car ahead when you stop at a light.  That way, at least when you get rear-ended, you won't be paying for a new radiator and grille, too. My favorite, though, are those owners of four-wheel drive SUVs who don't seem to understand physics: they may be able to get better traction on the slick stuff, but once all four wheels are locked in a skid, that Yukonasaurus is just a heavier sled.

It generally takes a while before most people come to their senses, and start to realize that in winter conditions, you've got to plan ahead with a little more time, slow down, leave a little more following distance, think ahead about the incline at the upcoming intersection, maybe consider applying the brakes a little earlier and more gently, and so forth.  Not to worry, though, by about the first of April, drivers seem to have it figured out.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Remember, about half the drivers in Lincoln are below average drivers...

Anonymous said...

Tom, That's FUNNY! It's the nimrods who pull out in front of me that drive me nuts. Then I have to try to stop suddenly or slow down to a crawl on the icy pavement because they just couldn't wait another 3 seconds for my car to get by. Yep, like you said, BRING ON APRIL!

Anonymous said...

Amen.

Anonymous said...

I made the trip out to Sam's on my motorcycle December 1st to stock up on Meds and Chuck Roast. It is ironic: For the first time in my life I have a motorcycle that I can start easily even at ZERO degrees and I am too chicken hearted now to ride with a bit of white stuff on the ground. I don't know if it is old age or wisdom.

Gun Nut

Anonymous said...

JS has a wire story today about some university research that tracked who the worst drivers are in bad weather. It did not surprise me to learn it's men, 45 and older, driving pick up trucks.

Anonymous said...

Great message, sir. I love this city, but the tailgating needs to be curtailed. Drivers also need to learn that the middle of the crosswalk isn't the proper place to stop at a red light.

Anonymous said...

Correct, these are traffic crashes, not traffic accidents. Other than car-deer crashes and other such things where a prudent ans responsible driver gets blindsided, almost all crashes are not accidents, but rather the result of driver error (inattention, too fast for conditions etc). This goes for good weather as well as bad.

Yes, you can ticket a deer, but they won't sign it, and they never show up for court, anyway.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 1:44 PM, That is HILARIOUS! You gave me a much needed laugh today. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I agree, but I am also amazed that at the drop of wet pavement, the speed limit automatically takes a dive at least 10 mph. Driving on the other side of hell-on-wheels causes accidents too.

ARRRRG!!!! said...

I love winter!

Anonymous said...

December 5, 2011 2:36 PM: Is posting about 10 MPH. Ok class, put the thinking cap on.
How important is 300 feet? How important is 100 yards?
Good, the class is with me. They are the same. If you missed this, then do not go continue. In fact make an appointment with a LMHP and review the "leave early" "arrive on time" concept.

Now for the final test. We both travel 30 miles. Flat open road with a 70mph speed. I drive 60MPH and you go 70mph. OK! times up. Everyone check your math. Now consider the max speed in Lincoln is about 40 MPH.
So I say to our "December 5, 2011 2:36 PM" ding dong, your comment is exactly why road rage is out on the roads. It makes no sense to present the situation you persent.

Anonymous said...

ARRRRG: What a HOOT!!!

Anonymous said...

I don't do road rage. Just listen to this; you'll calm right down, no matter whether it's one slow driver in front of you, or thousands of them. Slow and low, that's how we go. You'll get there eventually, so next time, just don't leave late.

Anonymous said...

Here's a curious bug in the LPD web site - when you click on the link for the daily incident summary for "today", it takes you to 12-1-2011. It's been stuck that way for a few days.

Perditus Inventionem said...

If you want a surplus, write tickets for: tailgating , not signallingto turns, and failure to turn into the closest lane (when people will turn into the farthest lane right off the bat). You're welcome.

Anonymous said...

If you want a surplus, write tickets for: tailgating , not signallingto turns, and failure to turn into the closest lane (when people will turn into the farthest lane right off the bat). You're welcome.

Surplus what - city revenues? Sorry, read the state constitution again, and notice where it says all fines must go.

Steve said...

Arrrrg!!!!

Do they make snow skis to fit on peg legs?

Steve said...

8:22

Oh, to be back in San Diego again, where the motorcycles can ride down the line between lanes, risking their lives to save a few precious minutes.

Anonymous said...

Steve: Is that the same city/state that has tax paid sex change operations for low income and those in custody?
MDD