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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think some people are idiots going out in the snow and then wonder why they get stuck!!

84 replies

lisad123 · 05/02/2012 09:41

Seen the news this morning about loads of people getting stuck in the snow AGAIN!!
Every year we are warned to only travel if we need to, but clearly some think they know better and put themselves and others at risk.

OP posts:
IvanaHumpalot · 05/02/2012 19:29

kalskirata & shellyboob

Kwickfit £50 will store and change summer/winter tyres. Cost of tyres on top...

Have winter tyres for first time since moving to house where for last 3 winters have been snowed in. Tyres are fab, no problems getting about today.

insancerre · 05/02/2012 19:35

Lets's just all hibernate for the winter then, shall we op? FFS it's not treacherous, it's a few cms of snow. The world doesn't stop just because of a few cm of snow.
I despair, I really do.

Anonymumous · 05/02/2012 19:36

We went to the park up the road this morning. Loads of people had driven there to play in the snow, and then couldn't get their cars back out of the car park again. They were all standing around waiting to borrow someone's shovel to dig their cars out - it's not even as if it had been snowing while they were there!

I know it's mean, but DH and I couldn't help smirking a bit. If you like the snow so much, just walk to the park in it - what on Earth is the point of taking a car? Nuts!

mrswoodentop · 05/02/2012 19:43

The thing is the snow last night was being predicted on every news bulletin,they even got the time pretty close for most parts of the country.I just do wonder where some of these people were going ,did they really need to go out or is it just that people's definition of need differs.

blubble · 05/02/2012 19:43

I agree with OP. We don't have a car, live in the city centre so don't need to, but I always find that drivers have quite an arrogant attitude and sense of entitlement when it comes to travelling/parking anywhere. Those drivers stuck on the motorway are a prime example, they clearly decided their journeys were absolutely essential and couldn't possibly wait, despite days of weather warnings. They have no one to blame but themselves if they are stuck out for hours or get involved in a multi-car pileup.

OneLastSoul · 05/02/2012 20:01

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Meglet · 05/02/2012 20:04

In the case of my stepmum (last year) then YANBU. Silly woman decided the severe weather warnings didn't apply to her, went to visit relatives and got stuck on the M25 for 3 hours in the cold and said it was an awful experience. I had zero sympathy.

Original poster
lisad123 · 05/02/2012 20:05

Onelastsoul, they clearly need to go out in their cars and as I stated earlier that because some are going out when they don't need to, those peoples jobs and journeys are being made worse!

OP posts:
mrswoodentop · 05/02/2012 20:06

Doctors ,nurses etc of course they need to get to work but the likelihood of all these people being in such jobs is unlikely.One women interviewed had had a day out at Brent Cross,another was going to a family partyShock

sunshineandbooks · 05/02/2012 20:18

It's difficult to define 'need to travel', isn't it. It can't necessarily be restricted to 'someone's life or wellbeing dependent on you travelling'. There are plenty of reasons that are of great importance that don't qualify under that criteria. I doubt people go out in difficult driving conditions simply because they fancy visiting their mate in the next village or because they can't possibly miss the Next sale.

The thing is, while driving in the snow is obviously more difficult than driving in normal conditions, it isn't that difficult if you know how to do it. People make the fatal mistake of going too slowly up hill so that they lose momentum and get stuck (or cause others to), using too low a gear as it makes them feel they have more control (even though it encourages wheel spin and loss of control), or they brake too much and skid because they don't have enough traction. I drive a rear-wheel drive car, which is one of the worst in snowy weather, but I've managed to control it perfectly well in quite bad conditions that have seen 4x4s stuck off road because their drivers don't know how to use them. Maybe we need to bring it into the driving test if harsh winters are going to become a regular feature?

thenightsky · 05/02/2012 20:19

Another vote for winter tyres. My little Jazz wipes the floor with 4x4s wearing summer tyres.

This video shows the stopping distances. The cornering test is scary!

Hulababy · 05/02/2012 21:59

Can you use winter tyres even when the temperatures are higher, such as earlier this winter when it has been very mild? There used to always been information about them not being able to be used once the temperature raised a little for example. Is this no longer the case?

DH's car is four wheel drive anyway (although not big 4x4 style) so it is fine in the snow. Mine is front wheel drive so not as bad as some, but too light really for snowy roads.

And how to winter tyres deal with ice? Does it make it better or is it like four wheel drive that they are great for snow, but not much stops if you skid on ice?

Kladdkaka · 05/02/2012 22:05

Our winter tyres are fab on ice, don't even notice it, but then ours are studded. I don't think you're supposed to have studded in the UK.

I think that winter tyres can be used all year round but you would be crackers to do so. They cost more than summer tyres and are softer so don't last anywhere near as long. So you only have them when you need them.

Hulababy · 05/02/2012 22:07

They used to say about 7 or 8 degrees or so though iirr. But a lot of this winter has been above that. I gather that has changed though and modern winter tyres can be used all winter, even when mild.

Kladdkaka · 05/02/2012 22:09

We have a fixed date when you have to change them at the latest. Earlier if winter conditions kick in sooner.

Pendeen · 05/02/2012 22:12

Hulababy

Winter tyres perfomr better on ice than all season tyres and can be used even in mild winters.

A 4x4 with all season tyres is generally inferior on ice to a 2wd car with winter tyres simply because although all 4 wheels are driven the traction afforded by the tyres is nowhere as good.

A car could have 10 wheel drive and still be unable to match a 2wd car on a good set of winter tyres.

stoatie · 05/02/2012 22:16

I drove to work (hospital) yesterday at 0700 - roads clear. I knew snow forecast but had no option to leave work - by 2100 when I left work - the roads were treacherous (no sign of snow ploughs or gritters for whole journey.) My fifteen minute journey took an hour - I am quite good snow driver. then at 0615 this morning I did it all again to arrive at work on time again - as did most of my colleagues - none of us wanted to drive in it - but what would you prefer - we stayed at home - unfortunately babies don't heed weather forecasts and still want to be born - even in the depths of winter!!

Backtobedlam · 05/02/2012 22:22

I went out yesterday, my cars great in the snow so thought I'd have no problems. Unfortunately all the cars that cannot move up even the slightest incline if there is a cm of snow were blocking all the roads. If snows forecast surely those with cars adapted to cope with it should share lifts with those that don't, then there'd be less traffic on the roads and the majority would be moving. Of course, that would involve some sort of communication with neighbours/colleagues.

Backtobedlam · 05/02/2012 22:24

Xposted stoatie...my comments were general not aimed at you. Well done for going in this morning, roads were horrible.

Hulababy · 05/02/2012 22:28

Getting some cars on the roads is good anyway surely, esp once the grit is down. Then the cars churn it up and gets the snow disappearing.

Thanks for info re winter tyres. DH's car is fine tbh. I could look into for my car but I just avoid driving in snow. I don't feel confident driving it so would rather not. I get DH to give me a lift part way and walk the rest.

Kladdkaka · 05/02/2012 22:36

Road in this part of Sweden don't get gritted. It's pointless once the temperature drops below -5.

thenightsky · 05/02/2012 22:41

Hula... that video I linked to is a test of winter-v-summer tyres on ice. Worth a watch.

thenightsky · 05/02/2012 22:43

Oh.. and winter tyres are NOT expensive... mine were £40 each from mytyre.com... free delivery.

Kladdkaka · 05/02/2012 22:49

They are where I am.

ElphabaisWicked · 05/02/2012 22:56

Well we went out shopping today. Dd is going on a weeks school outdoor activity residential and I tried to buy her stuff last week on my day off but coulnd't get her size. The alternative would be to send her withouth suitable clothing/equipment.

Dh has an important job interview tomorrow in an area where there is no snow and then he has to go to London for work. I am going with him as we have theatre tickets. I guess none of it is essential but has financial implications if we don;t go.

Two years ago dh lost £1,000 in total by not being able to get to work during the weeks of heavy snow.