Stranded motorists

57 replies

IkBenDeMol · 10/03/2023 08:05

Lots of sad face stories on the news this morning about people stuck on the M62 last night in serious snow.

Serious snow which was FORECAST and which there was an amber warning for. Do not travel. Serious disruption expected. Why do so many people think that warnings don't apply to them? Very little sympathy for anyone who got stuck after at least 3 days of warnings.

OP posts:

Fizbosshoes · 10/03/2023 10:12

HurryShadow · 10/03/2023 09:15

I think there's an element of the boy who cried wolf with weather warnings.

So many have turned in to an over-exaggeration, people just don't believe it will be as bad as they warn, and assume they'll be OK. Plus people buy 4 wheel drive cars thinking they can magically drive on snow. They may be better than a 2 wheel drive car, but it's not a guarantee it will work.

I remember this snow from 2009 - it was forecast, but no-one expected the sheer volume that dumped - John Lewis Sleepover

I remember just before Christmas in 2010, there was weather was freezing but not a massive amount of snow forecast. Im pretty sure there weren't warnings not to travel, and no snow had fallen. We drove to tesco about 10 miles away and in the hour we were in there about 5" of snow fell.

MeinKraft · 10/03/2023 10:25

ZeldaB · 10/03/2023 09:24

YANBU. Last time there was heavy snow in my area and many accidents / overnight queues of traffic etc, everyone I know continued with their plans and ignored the snow. This included going to non-essential business meetings that were also being held on zoom, going to see Christmas lights, going to a show etc. Some got stuck, most were lucky, but none of them should have been on the roads. Not least as some people are essential workers and doctors can get to hospital a lot faster if there isn’t a bunch of sightseers clogging up the motorway.

Part of the problem is, of course, bad leadership. My friends were all the mood that ‘only a wuss would stay home, it’s just a bit of snow.’ They were in that mood because there was then so much “Don’t be lazy or scared, get back into the office” messaging from eg ReesMogg.

The Tories have never understood the dangers of emotive public messaging. When you tell people “Don’t be lazy or scared, go to work” you don’t just get civil servants returning to their desks you also get people driving overnight through snowdrifts.

Yeah if you do refuse to go out you get people saying people in this country are so wet, 2 flakes of snow and everyone panics etc can't win can you

Hoppinggreen · 10/03/2023 10:43

BarbaraofSeville · 10/03/2023 08:24

What people like that need to realise is that while they may not get stuck, they will still get stuck behind all queues of other people getting stuck in their normal cars and lorries, that can't cope with the conditions.

Show quote history

That is true, I have previously been guilty of “oh but I have got a 4x4” thinking and got stuck due to people who haven’t.
I don’t go out at all now unless it’s absolutely unavoidable

WeAreTheHeroes · 10/03/2023 11:09

It wasn't just snow though - high winds and stormy conditions. Bizarrely I could probably get to work today via main roads, but my usual, quicker route across the tops is impassable with snow drifts.

People generally don't realise things can be so different within a short distance due to elevation and exposure to winds.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 10/03/2023 12:16

How do people feel about mountain rescue having to be out all night rescuing stranded motorists?

LlynTegid · 10/03/2023 12:19

If you took away the 25% of people who should not have a licence, and then the proportion who cannot cope with a change in weather (panic or no adjustment), I'd wager the number stuck would have been much less and more of those remaining on the roads would have made their journey without getting stuck.

I'd also guess those who drive SUVs are the ones most likely to panic.

RampantIvy · 10/03/2023 12:23

OhYouBadBadKitten · 10/03/2023 12:16

How do people feel about mountain rescue having to be out all night rescuing stranded motorists?

I expect Woodhead Mountain rescue have been busy. They are all volunteers and do a brilliant job.

Flip

1 2 3