To all idiot drivers in the snow

[sparkeh]

When you are go to your car in the morning and clear the snow please consider the following:

 

1) You are not a tank commander and require more visibility than a small square of windscreen in front of your face.

 

2) Your headlights and indicators are not powerful enough penetrate a thick layer of snow, please clear these.

 

3) Please bother to spend the extra couple of minutes to clear thick layers of snow off areas other than your windows. I do not like to be driving on the dual carriage to find myself engulfed in a blizzard of snow flying off your roof and bonnet.

[Hightower]

When you are go to your car in the morning and clear the snow please consider the following:

 

1) You are not a tank commander and require more visibility than a small square of windscreen in front of your face.

 

2) Your headlights and indicators are not powerful enough penetrate a thick layer of snow, please clear these.

 

3) Please bother to spend the extra couple of minutes to clear thick layers of snow off areas other than your windows. I do not like to be driving on the dual carriage to find myself engulfed in a blizzard of snow flying off your roof and bonnet.

 

3) Maybe you're driving a little too close then if this affects you

[Dos_Box]

And my current personal favorite. If you are driving on perfectly clear roads, and all of the other traffic is doing 30mph and NOT skidding OR crashing AND braking normally then you do not have to drive at 5mph holding everyone else up. And when I do eventually overtake you, you should NOT gesticulate as if I am some kind of mad person or what I am doing is dangerous. It's not. You are.

This is dedicated to the driver yesterday who drove so slowly through a right hand filter light, that it was on green when I went through behind them, the light had time to go to red and the traffic coming from the other direction began to set off whilst I was still making the turn!!

[sparkeh]

3) Maybe you're driving a little too close then if this affects you

 

Or someone overtakes and pulls in too close in front of me obscuring my view with the snowstorm coming off their roof?

Edited December 22, 2010 by sparkeh

[Martin]

I wish that the police would pull over a few of these such drivers for a "quiet word" (or three)!

 

mb

[Max_Power]

Was on the news last night that police are starting to pull these people over now and issue fines and points for not clearing snow off their roofs.

 

Apparently there have been "alot" of accidents involving snow coming down off the roof over the windscreen under breaking and therefore causing that person to crash and people behinde them to crash.

 

I personally think its fair enough, if you cant be bothered to have your car in a road worthy condition then you shouldnt be on the road, or at least given a lesson.

[glensc]

Was on the news last night that police are starting to pull these people over now and issue fines and points for not clearing snow off their roofs.

 

Apparently there have been "alot" of accidents involving snow coming down off the roof over the windscreen under breaking and therefore causing that person to crash and people behinde them to crash.

 

I personally think its fair enough, if you cant be bothered to have your car in a road worthy condition then you shouldnt be on the road, or at least given a lesson.

 

I believe the charge they are using is one of driving with an unsecured load.

[Max_Power]

I believe the charge they are using is one of driving with an unsecured load.

 

They dont need to - its in the Highway code that you need to remove snow from your roof and bonnet before setting off on journey - rule number 229 i think it said.

[nicholab]

Can some one tell me the best way of clearing snow off the roof with out damaging the paint work? I clear it so I am only left with a thin layer then I am stuck.

[GREED]

I mentioned this in another thread, last year's heavy snow I witnessed someone brake hard at lights (without skidding which was an achievement!) only for the snow on the roof (now sitting on a layer of water as the heat from inside the car has started to melt it) to slide and fire like a shell at the poor old man crossing the road. Near as damn knocked him off his feet...

[creese]

They dont need to - its in the Highway code that you need to remove snow from your roof and bonnet before setting off on journey - rule number 229 i think it said.

 

It's a rule and a code not the law. It also says 'check your route is clear of delays...' You won't end up in court if you don't.

 

EDIT:

It also tells you to drive with 'courtesy'. That would have 8/10 drivers in court daily.

Edited December 22, 2010 by creese

[DrummerBoy]

Can some one tell me the best way of clearing snow off the roof with out damaging the paint work? I clear it so I am only left with a thin layer then I am stuck.

 

I think you're fine with that. IIRC the limit is 2", but I might be mistaken (not that I ever am as I constantly tell the missus!).

[GREED]

It also tells you to drive with 'courtesy'. That would have 8/10 drivers in court daily.

 

That's generous

[nikaso]

Can some one tell me the best way of clearing snow off the roof with out damaging the paint work? I clear it so I am only left with a thin layer then I am stuck.

 

TBH I leave a thin layer, it isn't worth the extra hassle getting it all off and that very small amount isn't going to harm anyone, it will melt when it warms up.

[DrummerBoy]

It's a rule and a code not the law. It also says 'check your route is clear of delays...' You won't end up in court if you don't.

 

EDIT:

It also tells you to drive with 'courtesy'. That would have 8/10 drivers in court daily.

 

From what I remember the snow off the roof 'rule' is also a law - they do you under driving an unfit vehicle, or some such - I'll ask my traffic cop mate.

[tech_guy]

I use the brush from a dustpan and brush set to get the snow off the roof - the bristles don't scratch the paint work - I know because I tested it on my wife's car first ....

[creese]

From what I remember the snow off the roof 'rule' is also a law - they do you under driving an unfit vehicle, or some such - I'll ask my traffic cop mate.

 

It is covered under some law or other but my point is that the HC is not law. I wish it was. Why isn't it?

[GREED]

If it were a dangerous piece of equipment/object (ie much like an afor mentioned tank shell!) then it would be covered under law.

[Dos_Box]

It's a shame we are not in Germany. The traffic police out there are quite rabid about such things and WILL pull people with snow on their roofs and bonnets, as well as driving with fog lights on in clear weather because it is distracting to other road users.

Oh, and a soft floor broom is great for shifting snow off roofs as it reaches all the way over your roof

Edited December 22, 2010 by Dos_Box

[creese]

It's a shame we are not in Germany. The traffic police out there are quite rabid about such things and WILL pull people with snow on their roofs and bonnets, as well as driving with fog lights on in clear weather because it is distracting to other road users.

 

I lived there in the 70's. At least you know where you are in regards to using the roads. Even pedestrians were charged for 'Jaywalking'

[Martin]

Can some one tell me the best way of clearing snow off the roof with out damaging the paint work? I clear it so I am only left with a thin layer then I am stuck.

 

At home i use a long handled soft brush/broom which is great for clearing off large amounts of snow (from the whole car). I also carry a small dustpan and brush (bought from TK Max for a couple of quid) - the brush to clear snow when i am away from home and the pan is both a mini-shovel and also useful for spreading grit evenly (which i did on the sloping road outside the office earlier).

 

Getting on for six inches of snow now in Tamworth!

 

mb

[riffleman]

as well as driving with fog lights on in clear weather because it is distracting to other road users.

 

My pet hate. The only time I use my front fogs is to indicate to others that they should be off. In over twenty years of driving I can count on one hand when it has been of a reduced visibility to need front fogs. Its also against the law, something that very few cops will enforce. This time of year its especially bad as any water/ice on the road and they bounce straight back at oncoming traffic with almost the same power as a main beam head light would.

[GREED]

I want to buy them fairy lights for their cars, obviously it is a big thing about having more lights on than other road users... usually compensating for a lack of an appendage Edited December 22, 2010 by GREED

[mac_shinobi]

Yeah - don't leave your rear wheel car in gear with no hand brake on and push your car in the snow

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/jokes-interweb-things/67849-rear-wheel-drive-car-silly-woman-snow-leaving-gear-idiot.html

[Guest Guest]

One to the cyclists; Yes I realise that cars have cleared a nice track for you to ride in on the road where as the cycle path right next to the road hasn't been cleared, but please understand that in dark, snowy conditions no-one can see you without lights on your bike! While you're out purchasing your lights it might also be a good idea to also buy a high-vis jacket. Had one yesterday wearing all black on a busy 40mph road.

 

 

On a side note, the snow has been brilliant for xmas shopping the week before xmas; plenty of car parking places, no ques at the tills, and very few old biddies clogging up the isles