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The Aftermath of “Commutageddon”
Patrick Foltz
1/28/2011 7:20:00 AM
The snow doesn't give a soft white damn whom it touches. ~e.e. cummings
Last Wednesday, probably millions of people spent tens of millions of hours trying to get home from work. Commutes of 4,6,8, even 10 hours were reported. Cars in gridlock had to be dugout by their drivers. Many sat and didn’t move a single inch, for hours.
How are we to prevent this from happening again? Better systems for work cancellation, first. We could all be served by some reminders of how to drive in the snow. Since I hail from the remote and snowy climes of south central Pennsylvania, I have some idea of how to proceed in icy road conditions. So I could share some tips with you.
But, better than that, the Commonwealth of Virginia has done some study on this matter as well, and it has put out a number of resources for drivers. Some are legal duties. Some are “guidelines” set by the DMV. But what are your responsibilities, and what are your duties? Well, here are the “guidelines”:
a. Remove snow and ice from your entire car, including the roof;
b. Reduce your speed to account for decreased visibility;
c. Brake gently, even if you have 4-wheel drive. Remember, four-wheel-drive does not equal four-wheel-stop.
d. Reduce your speed to account for road conditions;
e. Add extra seconds to your following distance;
f. Reduce your speed to account for the fact that so many drivers think 65 mph on the highway is a constitutional right.
Granted, the previous tips are the DMV’s recommendations. Read the rest here: (http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/dmv39.pdf). On the other hand, here are some of your legal obligations:
a. You must reduce your speed in inclement weather if the posted speed limit is unsafe under the circumstances.
b. You must use your headlights when visibility is less than 500 ft or in bad weather if you are simultaneously using your windshield wipers.
c. If your windshield becomes encrusted with ice and snow, you must stop your car and clear the windshield. Maryland v. Coard, 175 Va. 571, 9 S.E.2d 454 (1940).
Note the “must”’s I have included. That means a court in Virginia has found that you, as a driver, have a duty in these situations.
So drive safely, and we can all pray that we never face a commute like last Wednesday night.
Snow
Traffic
Safe Driving