M9 Standing Water Claims Another Victim

j2 lot · Post by **j2 lot** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 2:06 pm

I believe Police crash statistics are fed to road agencies and can (should ) result in remedial action being considered to improve black spots, ie. shellgrip surface on corners. However I suspect that rather than inprove the drainage the most likely outcome would be to stick a camera up to deal with the problem (and generate some cash into the bargain).

Andy D · Post by **Andy D** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 4:11 pm

Bad luck, at least your not hurt

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 4:40 pm

GregR wrote:In relation to the posts about people being scared of their cars in this weather, just take it easy and be very gentle with the control inputs. The cars aren't inherantly dangerous, but the characteristics of the car are such that input can be exaggerated and get you into trouble. Drive smoothly, and gently in the conditions and you'll be fine - look at the McKeann 'driving god' thread that Robin posted up ... he survived snow & black ice on the A68, so I'm sure the rest of us can survive a bit of rain on the motorway...

Sorry to hear about the crash Neil.

In relation to what Greg said, he is absolutely correct. There is a big difference between the S1 and S2 in this regards, and also what tyres your on. I have went from driving an S1 on 48's to an S2 on AD07's and the difference is unbelievable. The S1 is naturally twitchier, the S2 is more stable. The 48's will work well in the wet, but the AD07's can track through much deeper water. But the fact remains, that neither of them are great when they hit a puddle, so you have to drive to the conditions.

Top tips for driving in aquaplaning conditions:

1. If you see the puddle in enough time, brake hard to scrub speed off before you hit it. Obviously doesnt help at night.

2. Keep your hands relaxed on the wheel. As your front wheels hit the water, they will try to move about a little bit. let them. what happens when you hold to tight is that you dictatew the wheels direction. when you hit the dry tarmac on the other side, if you have any steering input on, the car will follow it, usually into a spin or the barriers.

3. Dont lift off the throttle or brake. If your driving along the motorway, chances are your using some throttle. If you hit a puddle, and lift the throttle, the rear wheels will start to engine brake, and this is like pulling the handbrake on. Also, dont brake, it will just unsettle the car even more.

neil

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 5:33 pm

mckeann wrote:
GregR wrote:In relation to the posts about people being scared of their cars in this weather, just take it easy and be very gentle with the control inputs. The cars aren't inherantly dangerous, but the characteristics of the car are such that input can be exaggerated and get you into trouble. Drive smoothly, and gently in the conditions and you'll be fine - look at the McKeann 'driving god' thread that Robin posted up ... he survived snow & black ice on the A68, so I'm sure the rest of us can survive a bit of rain on the motorway...

Sorry to hear about the crash Neil.

Top tips for driving in aquaplaning conditions:

1. If you see the puddle in enough time, brake hard to scrub speed off before you hit it. Obviously doesnt help at night.

2. Keep your hands relaxed on the wheel. As your front wheels hit the water, they will try to move about a little bit. let them. what happens when you hold to tight is that you dictatew the wheels direction. when you hit the dry tarmac on the other side, if you have any steering input on, the car will follow it, usually into a spin or the barriers.

3. Dont lift off the throttle or brake. If your driving along the motorway, chances are your using some throttle. If you hit a puddle, and lift the throttle, the rear wheels will start to engine brake, and this is like pulling the handbrake on. Also, dont brake, it will just unsettle the car even more.

neil

Could not agree more. Well said! If I notice standing water in time, I try to line up the car to the course I want to be on, the other side of the water, so the car can just glide straight through. Not always possible. Had a few scares myself.

foz01 · Post by **foz01** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 5:35 pm

Bad Luck, i have to say though running A048's at this time of year is not really something i will be doing i dont think

r055 · Post by **r055** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 5:36 pm

sorry to hear it mate...

hope you get it sorted in time for the nice weather coming through...

Chas · Post by **Chas** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:11 pm

Glad your ok Neil, Pritty shi£"t to happen though.
The question about the amount of accidents would be a good thing to follow up though if others have noticed a pattern.
I had a friend who's job it was in the council to collate all the accident data. The Police submit a record of the accident details, even minor one's detailing weather, conditions, road type, car type, possible cause, location etc etc.
Now under the Freedom of Information act you can request any information from the council in charge of the area. Perhaps asking for a list of all accidents around your area where yours happened, indicating details on the road conditions, car type, involvement with other vehicles or 'lone' accidents etc.
Maybe if you show a pattern then you will have a case against the road maint dept and who manages that stretch or road.

Chas

woody · Post by **woody** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:22 pm

Glad your ok, sorry to hear about the car though

Matelotman · Post by **Matelotman** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:33 pm

Good that you walked away

VXJON · Post by **VXJON** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:38 pm

Bad luck Neil

meatball · Post by **meatball** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:35 pm

Unlucky mate.......its only a car though....yes I did say that!
Sometimes these things just happen......
As stated above the council do get fed the stats from accidents by the Police.
Going after the council/roads authority is however pointless......BUT......if you write them a letter (or even better email and keep a copy yourself) I think you will find that the problem is quickly sorted, as they can't be seen to do nothing to a road that is in a dangerous or lethal condition??????

Is ali (SLS) going to check the non bodywork side for you?

Anyway, I think you deserve a wee drink sir!

mac · Post by **mac** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:59 pm

Just following on from Meatball's point - there's laid down standards for drainage etc which the road "will" meet - the only need to say that there was a deludge which caused the accident.

PS: Real sorry to hear about your car Neil - it always seemed one of the best looked after cars on here.

Mac

ruadh08 · Post by **ruadh08** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:15 pm

Very unlucky, but at least you walked away from it and nobody else was involved, easy to imagine what would have happened if there had been a truck or two around!!

Did the feds get involved?

craigs135s · Post by **craigs135s** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:05 pm

Sorry to here that mate. The main thing is you are ok

Cheers
C

Jamie84 · Post by **Jamie84** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:10 pm

gutted for you m8y , I drove all the way home from leeds when I bought my car , torrential rainfall whole way . So much so the guy whom I bought it from had fitted a new pair of wipers for me and called me a few times to make sure I hadnt crashed it !

Kinda know the limits a little more on the 048s now , but I must have averaged about 40mph on the way home