Horrible as this is, have you ever driven, carefully, in fog or other bad weather conditions, only to have the bulk of traffic flying by you as though it was a dry and sunny day? Here in Michigan, many a time I've had cars pass me on icy, snowcovered roads and a few miles later, there they are - in the ditch. Why is everyone in such a huge hurry and so oblivious to hazzardous conditions?
I know what you mean, idiots are all over the roads here in Montana too! The roads used to be much friendlier (people wise) here, and in recent years it has only gotten worse. You just pray that they don't take anyone with them when they go. And wave at them sitting in the ditch as you pass by. They fail to realize that it's their attitude that got them there. It's very much a "Me First" mindset here. The fog is terrible to get caught in, because you can easily be rearended if you slow down and others haven't. I usually just let'em go because chances are good that you'll see'em in ditch later on. the first snowfall here is always a doozy as far as car accidents go, because so many people seem to forget how to drive on ice over the summer. Reminds me, I think I should get some new tires soon!
Pullman is the same way. Starting this week it got down to about 25F around midnight (and they say this is supposed to be a warm winter? right...), and by November we'll have icy roads 24/7. Its funny to see these guys in their huge 4x4's that don't know how to drive them, they make up most of the accidents I see on the roads.
I used to sell auto insurance and the 4x4 drivers all screamed because their premiums were higher. The personality that chooses a 4x4 tends to take more chances. One thing 4x4 drivers seem to forget is that when you lock those brakes the heavier vehicle slides even worse. Even with anti locking brakes once your traction breaks lose it takes a good driver with a cool head and LOTS of room to bring it back under control. And the "lots of room" is the kicker. Other vehicles or the edge of the road are not controllable.
I had to deal with getting around a multi-vehicle crash last month. It was raining so hard that you couldn't see but a couple of car lengths in front of you. I slowed down, but many were still doing 60+ mph or better. In a construction zone.
How all 7 of those cars kept is all in the left lane I'll never know! At least traffic could get by so that the fire truck a few cars behind me could get to the scene. It looked bad enough that somebody HAD to be hurt.
Stupidity, tailgating, and speed, that's what caused it.
I can't tell you how many cars I see driving without their lights on when it's raining or even foggy! It's like some people think that just because they can see five feet ahead of them, someone else wouldn't like the added notice of a car near them that headlights provide. (Of course, I don't know if that's what caused this crash in the first place. Just a pet peeve of mine.)
#7. "RE: Wisconsin Multi-Car Crash" In response to Ed W. (Reply # 6)
I always slow down in bad driving conditions. I feel in control of my car but feel I am in danger from all those impatient drivers trying to pass at high speeds.
#10. "RE: Wisconsin Multi-Car Crash" In response to Ed W. (Reply # 6)
It's also the law in NYS that you can't drive while talking on your cellphone. That doesn't stop folks from yapping away with the phone in one hand and the wheel in the other.
That's my basic nightmare, a soccer mom in a 5000LB sport-ute coming up behind me in the rain while talking on her cell. Your pet peeve drives me nuts - I live 20 miles from anywhere all on two lane roads and I see it constantly. It's so incredibly stupid not to consider that others can't see you ...
Well my home is only a few miles from the crash scene and this one hit way to close to home for me....had to go to Milwaukee today and went past the site....really a sad site to see with all the flowers and crosses on the hillsides next to the freeway....road is all charred and there is still "shrapnel" in the median.....not a pleasant site at all.....every once in awhile you just have to sit back, take a deep breath and say "thank you for I could have been there".......
I sincerely hope that nobody is stopping at that "roadside memorial". Such things have been the cause of subsequent accidents at the same locations because people stop there. I came close to killing someone at such a location 3 years ago because of that. Good thing those three ran when I leaned on the horn and started skidding!
Because of incidents (and accidents) like that, roadside memorials have been outlawed in some states. Ohio is one of them.