Rescue 4 Investigates Driver's Ed After Teen Crash

So you are personally acquainted with the Washington morons that think buying a 4 wheel drive will solve their snow driving problems!

It's not only the 4WD morons, it's the ones like me who grew up down South and move up there. My wife and I drove up to Snoqualmie Pass to see the snow the first Fall we were there. It was drizzling down in Redmond. We figured it was superhighway Interstate all the way to the pass ... so how bad could it get? Things were fine (just wet, no ice) until we were a couple of miles from the pass, when we went around a curve and into a complete winter wonderland. I couldn't believe how fast conditions worsened. We were committed to continue because there was no way to turn around (massive pucker factor). Luckily, it was mostly snow on I-90 so we inched to the pass without incident.

We stayed at the Pass for a couple of hours and didn't realize how intense the snowstorm was. By the time we decided to leave, there was at least 6" of snow on the car! Fortunately, I had bought chains a week before and managed to get them on the rear tires (and poking my numb fingers many times with loose metal wires on the damn things).

Anyway, the whole episode drove the point into my miniscule brain that you don't f*** around with Mother Nature in the winter. Things can close in on you in a hurry. It was almost 15 years ago and I can still see that moment when we went around the curve into the winter wonderland. I think I've finally de-puckered now...

It would be better to provide a few skid training cars. They have casters that can be raised and lowered to reduce traction and simulate icy conditions in a controlled fashion.

But, no amount of training will substitute for common sense. Kids need to learn that no vehicle will completely protect them when they hit ice and that there are times when an inexperienced driver should just stay home or get a ride from a better driver.

I moved to NC from being born and raised in S. Fla. Never saw snow fall until I moved.
I'm afraid to drive on ice which we have more of than snow.
One thing I've learned is not to brake and turn at the same time.
Another is 4WD helps starting but not braking. Something many owners don't think of.

As for ABS brakes, I don't like them.
I found out one day that if you are braking on a rough road and one of your wheels bounces off the pavement the brakes go into ABS mode, essentially go away.
You have to let off the brakes and reapply.
Almost wrecked because of them. I know several people that did for, I suspect, that reason.

You don't really think that kid's know the first thing about 1. manual transmissions
2. locking rear differentials
3. true 4 wheel drive
4. anti-lock braking systems

You'd be surprised at the number of parental fools who buy a vehicle just because it has a 4x4 sticker on it, and later find out they have 2 wheel drive. Just toss the keys to the kids and gloat little Johnny/Jenna is 'safe' because daddy knows they are driving something big--with that 4x4 sticker.

LOL

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