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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to drive....

80 replies

lalasnowman · 10/12/2017 07:31

...from Oxford to Manchester today for a concert? I have a pretty small car and the snow is looking pretty heavy? Smart not to go, or am I being a drama queen..snow is just snow?

OP posts:
abbsisspartacus · 10/12/2017 07:33

Nope nope nope

MissBax · 10/12/2017 07:33

I live in Manchester and there isn't really any snow (unless you're going to the outskirts in th'ills), so it just depends what the snows like your end really. Have you already got tickets? Train?

SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 10/12/2017 07:35

Don't do it.

xyzandabc · 10/12/2017 07:35

I don't think it's a good idea. My DH and 2 kids drove Oxford to Manchester yesterday for a family birthday. I had to stay home with youngest child as they were sick.

They are now waiting to see what it's like in the light to decide whether they can make it back today.

Looks like it's going to keep snowing most of the morning/day so even if you made it there, would you make it back, esp if it's dark by then?

Increasinglymiddleaged · 10/12/2017 07:35

Erm you aren't being a drama queen. No way is my opinion just for a concert. I'm meant to be going to a show in Birmingham today and won't be driving there and it's a much shorter journey. Am waiting to see if trains are running it's that bad here.

But generally small cars are better in the snow. It's BMWs etc that are the worst.

Increasinglymiddleaged · 10/12/2017 07:36

Miss Bax I live on the route there is lots here.

SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 10/12/2017 07:39

There's a lot of snow on the ground already, and it's going to carry on for most of the day by the look of it.

Manchester may be clear, but it looks like most of your route is affected

Increasinglymiddleaged · 10/12/2017 07:44

OP have a look at the traffic setting on Google maps ace you can see clearly where the traffic issues are on the motorways. From Oxford to Stone basically it's red then it's ok North of there.

confusedlittleone · 10/12/2017 07:45

Nope nope nope- I live the way you'd be traveling and I wouldn't be doing that journey unless it was some kind of life or death journey

Original poster
lalasnowman · 10/12/2017 07:52

Thank you so much!! This is all massively helpful! I know my sis is going to be devastated not to go but I'm just not happy about driving there and then driving home late in this snow? Dangerous at night and also possibility of crazy slow traffic!!

OP posts:
Silvercatowner · 10/12/2017 07:59

The traffic will be a nightmare but it's just a bit of snow.

Mummyoflittledragon · 10/12/2017 08:02

We are in midlands. Just beside m1. It’s coming down here. And we have a couple of inches already. Just contemplating whether or not to go on our planned journey - going south toward London.

MissBax · 10/12/2017 08:04

Can you get a train OP?

Original poster
lalasnowman · 10/12/2017 08:08

The train is expensive and there are problems on the line too...so probably not..it is a complete whiteout here...will motorways be clear?

OP posts:
GunnyHighway · 10/12/2017 08:12

It's just rain showing off. Drive more gently pull away in 2nd was use gears to slow down. Check the traffic as that would be the deal breaker for me. I have to travel this evening do I'll be giving myself plenty of extra time

MissBax · 10/12/2017 08:14

What a shame, have you already got tickets?

BishBoshBashBop · 10/12/2017 08:16

They are telling people around here only to make essential journeys.

It's a good 4 inches here.

I wouldn't do it.

Increasinglymiddleaged · 10/12/2017 08:17

Lalas look at Google maps you can see clearly. I live near the top of the M40 and we have about 4 inches and it's coming down thick and fast. 'drive gently' what driving from Oxford to Manchester? These people obviously either never drive or are nuts.

OnTheRise · 10/12/2017 08:19

I would not risk the drive--especially in a small car without snow tyres.

I'm on the route and we have tonnes of snow, and loads more falling. This isn't a minor inconvenience, it's something that could lead to you being stuck for hours, or being injured, or losing your life. It's treacherous out there. Don't risk it.

GunnyHighway · 10/12/2017 08:25

'drive gently' what driving from Oxford to Manchester?

Well I did a drive in weather worse than this from Germany, through the Netherlands and Belgium and then through France. The only problems I encountered was when I got to the UK. The Germans were still doing 90mph on the Autobahn in heavy snow.

So I have driven plenty thanks

Increasinglymiddleaged · 10/12/2017 08:26

Well you come under the umbrella of 'nuts' then.

Bratsandtwats · 10/12/2017 08:28

The M6 by Birmingham is currently down to one lane and it is still snowing quite heavily. Don't do it. It may even be blocked in more rural stretches.

FindoGask · 10/12/2017 08:29

Gunny, true, but as any pub bore will tell you - at length - other countries that get more snow in the winter are more set up for it than we are. In the UK everyone loses their shit over a couple of inches and that, as much as the actual snow, makes the roads more dangerous here because people start driving unpredictably.

Increasinglymiddleaged · 10/12/2017 08:29

And the M40 is now actually shut between Warwick and Henley (15 and 16) according to Google maps.

LizzieSiddal · 10/12/2017 08:36

Emergency services are saying DO NOT drive unless it's unavoidable. They are busy enough.

People saying "it's only snow" are idiots.

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