Snow and Black Ice

I remember running through there about that time because the gorge was still closed and I knew VA was getting hammered. Don't know if it was the same night but I got to 326 and noticed the spray was lacking from the tires of the guy in front of me. I remember hearing later as I sat at the 328 they had a fubar on the little hill past Dalton. I remember getting a good chuckle out of hearing:

"BS I'm from Iowa! A little ice ain't gonna make me late!"

Made me chuckle as the biggest mistake I ever made was in Iowa. I guess they leave those roads up there like that for training purposes.

 

i know that i spent 9 hours in a dead stop on chicago finist interstate,when was iced over, i watch them do that too pass on the shoulder and just shook my head when they did that, i never go on the shoulder , unless told by the dot to do so around a wreck, those shoulders scare me, i seen big truck's roll over on a soft shoulder , so i stayed away from them, paved or not, , but one time i had no choice, as i was coming into a town , a very small town , i was just on the outskirt , but just inside the city limit's , the front right steer blew, scared the crap out me, never had a tire blow, i saved it , limp over the shoulder and called road service .

 

Snow and Ice:
Take your time and slow down.
Don't make severe steering wheel movements and use your brakes sparingly. If braking, apply them gradually and firmly.
If you start to spin, DO NOT hit your brakes, just get off the gas, but not so much that you lose momentum (especially uphill).
Driving on the shoulder can get you additional traction. The rumble strip can also be your friend.
Snow that hasn't been driven on will give you more traction than snow compacted by multiple trucks.
Generally, the road won't start to freeze up until it hits around 28 degrees. Watch other trucks and look for road spray. When the spray goes away, you're on ice.
If you find yourself passing alot of trucks, you're going too fast.
Leave alot of following distance between you and other vehicles. Don't drive in large packs of trucks, it's just an accident waiting to happen.
When going downhill, use your brakes and engine brake minimally. Your engine brake can cause your wheels to lock up on a slippery surface so weigh that against your need for additional braking.
Don't be afraid to "throw iron", once it's on, it's a great confidence builder but remember, drive no faster than 35 mph with chains on.

 

wonder if that was one of those super truckers that got tangled up? Man I will always remember that evening as it was all happening in front of me,slow motion,surreal actually.I was out of my truck w/a flashlight trying my best to get other drivers to slow down before that got to that point.I went behind my truck a good distance to try and get others to slow down before they had to jam on the brakes,waving a flashlight,arm motions,all of it.it was serious sheit at that spot.most reacted properly.a few ignored me and well,they got towed. I tried is all i can say.met many cool drivers standing around in the ice and sleet and all waiting for the green light from the state. the southbound had several 180's and trucks sliding off the road but they all seemed a long ways off. all kind of like it wasn't happening yet it was to sum it up.ice was hanging off my mirror brackets about 5-6".

that type weather/scenario is when the cb comes in VERY HANDY as applicable to all you drivers that don't run one.

 

Best advice I've heard in this thread "Thank You!"

Driving on ice takes skill and to get that skill, unfornately you have to drive on it. Practice what "The Bird" is saying and you'll be fine. Baby Steps Baby Steps/

 

Just to repeat what others have said. The two things to watch for.....lack of spray from your tires and ice build up on your mirrors. Doesn't matter if they are metal or plastic, if the temperature is below freezing they will accumulate ice. And if you feel comfortable at the speed you're running, chances are its a tad too fast.

 

i find most road pro is junk, but this really worked for once and i watch it all day , just a glance but still, it's one those sick on dash thermometers that sick too your dash and the probe by wire zip tie too your mirror , i watch the temp drop right before me, not so good at night ,no light , but it ws good little gadget too have, now fast forward with modern tech, you can set your phone with the apps , like accu weather and watch that .

 

great idea.now i'll have to upgrade my phone! HA!

 

I spend much time with The Weather Channel, OR's, and WA's DOT sites and 511. OR's Tripcheck is very good. I've found CA DOT site and 511 to be worthless.

Another way to find out what you're heading into is the CB, of course, and to watch trucks in the opposing lane. When you start seeing that black/brown stripe going up the side of vans, you're heading into some fun times.

As Rif Raf said, it's all based on experience. I grew up in North Dakota, lived in WA, and spend most of the winter on I-84, 80, and 5. After awhile you don't get so excited when the road turns white. There will always be trouble spots that are the same all the time: Snoqualmie Pass on I-90: not much of a pass but gets some really nasty weather. Meacham Pass, Ladd Canyon, and parts of Cabbage on I-84: nasty weather and Cabbage can get some really dense fog in the winter, which is so much fun on snow and ice. Cabbage usually clears up about half way down (although last year I ran chains from the top of Cabbage, to I-82, and kept them on all the way to Prosser. What a day). Any highway between I-5 and US 97 in OR: OR 58 can get really nasty in the winter. Of course, Donner on I-80: nasty weather and nasty downhill into Sac. If you don't like the weather on Donner, wait an hour and it will change. I try to avoid all of I-70 in CO during the winter, but my dispatch doesn't always agree with me.