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Original poster

Would you do a 2 hour round through the countryside today if you didn’t have time to?

31 replies

Velveteal · 09/02/2020 07:47

We live in Shropshire, I’ve just woken up and the weather sounds pretty grim out there. We’re due to meet friends for lunch an hour away. It’ll mean 2 hours driving with the dc. It’s not a special meal, we do see them quite frequently. Would you still go? Is it ‘risky’ ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Velveteal · 09/02/2020 07:48

That heading hasn’t come out right at all! We do have time, it’s meant to say ‘would you do a 2 hour round trip through countryside if you didn’t have to’.

OP posts:
Northernsoullover · 09/02/2020 07:49

No I wouldn't. People can be blase about wind but I wouldn't take the risk. Its a small risk admittedly but something bad happens every time we get weather like this.

HowlsMovingBungalow · 09/02/2020 07:49

I expect there will be a lot of debris and fallen branches on minor rural roads, I really wouldn't bother going out in this weather for a sunday lunch.

WisestIsShe · 09/02/2020 07:51

I probably would but equally if I was your friend I'd totally understand.

GardenHeartedDreams · 09/02/2020 07:51

No way. You’d probably be fine but what if a picnic table blows through your windscreen or a tree comes down on your car?

We don’t like to accept that we’re at the mercy of the weather in 2020 but, well, we are.

WobblyAllOver · 09/02/2020 07:51

No I wouldn't. Said on another thread but the last storm bought down a tree near me and killed the women driving her car.

Far too much debris flying about and on the road and very easy to cause an accident. I would only go out unless it was urgent given that it's an amber warning here.

Ouchaheadinmybehind · 09/02/2020 08:17

Nope. Rearrange. Your friends should understand you don’t want to drive in this.

AhoyMrBeaver · 09/02/2020 08:19

No, rearrange now so they don't get ready for nothing. It's pretty wild out there.

Ughmaybenot · 09/02/2020 08:21

I would go, but equally I don’t think I’d be upset if a friend said they wouldn’t, for the reasons above. Up to you.

CherryPavlova · 09/02/2020 08:23

I probably would. I was three hour drive this morning and am not forseeing huge problems apart from buffeting of the car and getting wet when we stop for the dog.

Ahitsallover · 09/02/2020 08:26

No, I wouldn't. You say meet your friends, were you going to their house or were they due to travel too? You may find they don't want to go out either. Have a cosy day inside with your children. I'm sure your friends will understand.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 09/02/2020 08:27

If the storm was tomorrow rather than today then I would have to drive to work which is 45 minutes away, so on that basis I would go but as others have said, I wouldn't be upset if a friend of mine cancelled on me because of the storm.

Orchidflower1 · 09/02/2020 08:28

No I wouldn’t - really not worth it.

averylongtimeasLangCleg · 09/02/2020 08:28

I'm in Shropshire right now- just south of Shrewsbury.
A fb group has a report of a tree down between Habberley and Pontesbury.
It's blowing a gale with v strong gusts.

Original poster
Velveteal · 09/02/2020 08:30

Thanks everyone. We’re due to meet in a pub in their village and then back to theirs for a bit. I’m going to phone them in an hour when they’ll be up. I’m still in bed so I’ll stick my head out and see how bad it really is, it does sound awful though.

OP posts:
BrieAndChilli · 09/02/2020 08:31

We are 1.5 hours away from home so have no choice but to drive today. Mostly up the M5 so I’m hoping it’s not too bad.

karencantobe · 09/02/2020 08:34

I would go. The risks are absolutely tiny.

Mintjulia · 09/02/2020 08:41

Yes. It’s only a bit blowy. Unless you are driving a high sided vehicle, what’s the problem?

AJPTaylor · 09/02/2020 08:43

I wouldn't
Risk of injury small. Risk of getting stuck for hours high

madcatladyforever · 09/02/2020 08:53

No you could easily have a bad accident with the kids in the car.
Why would you risk that? Weather warnings are there for a reason and very few people on the road drive for the weather conditions which is why accidents happen.

Blobby10 · 09/02/2020 08:54

It would come under the description of 'non-essential travel' to me so no I wouldn't go. Its not just the risk to you and your family from travelling but also the risk to other road users and rescue workers if something happens!

RandomMess · 09/02/2020 08:56

Not just the wind heavy rain forecast too, awful driving conditions why risk it? There is a reason they ask people to not travel!

JiltedJohnsJulie · 09/02/2020 08:57

Not with where you live I wouldn’t. Rearrange for another time Smile

karencantobe · 09/02/2020 09:11

I would check online your specific journey. Also it would depend if you are a good driver or not. The wind is unlikely to be an issue. You do need to be a decent driver to drive in heavy rain.

The warning about non essential travel is a blanket one and in reality will only apply to a few places in the country. The weather forecast for Shropshire says largely sunny with brisk winds and heavy rain in some places.

Friendsofmine · 09/02/2020 09:16

The met office is saying essential travel only so no! Ignore weather warnings at your peril

www.theaa.com/car-insurance/advice/red-weather-warnings-and-driving