When Roads Turn Slimy, Slow Drivers Win The Day
Most of the people Rouse’s Towing Service drags out of the ditch in snowy conditions have one thing in common: They drive four-wheel-drive rigs. Fast.
It’s one of the ironies of winter driving that the people with seemingly the best-suited vehicles end up in the most trouble. The drivers seem to forget that all-wheel traction doesn’t give you any better braking grip.
Another irony: It’s not the cold that will get you but the warming that comes after the cold and snow.
Betsy Bourquin, operations manager at Rouse’s, 2621 N. University, can almost tell how the weather is by how often her phone rings.
“If it’s real, real cold, people pretty well stay on the road. But when it starts to warm up, it causes underlying ice and they end up in the ditch,” she says.
And business has been brisk for Rouse’s during the past week, with “slimy” roads causing the most trouble on the outskirts of town, Bourquin says.
“The biggest problem is people just driving too fast,” she says.
“We are, for this type of weather, pulling more people out than ever before…. About 2 o’clock on Saturday, our world just fell apart.”
Ruth Johnston, a Valley driver interviewed about the wintry conditions this week, can verify the problem with in-a-hurry all-wheelers.
“The thing that scares me is the young kids driving four-wheel drives who think they’re invincible. They’re scary and make me just want to park somewhere until they’re past.”
“I’m a little nervous. I’ve seen a lot of people spin out. People going at high speed. I just believe in going slow.”
Carole Cox says people seem to be driving a little smarter this year. She regularly drives on Interstate 90 and hasn’t seen as many wrecks as in past years.
“I really think people are doing better. Maybe because of some of the horrible accidents. People are being much more careful.”
Don Koellen agrees with that.
“It hasn’t been too bad, really. People were ready for it. Everybody’s going slower. Or buying four-wheel drives.” (See above, Don.)
Randy Wilson, just up from Pasco, said he saw only one car in the ditch along the highway.
Nevin Fisher has noticed yet another winter-driving irony.
“The thing about this town is they run through the red lights and can’t get going at the green lights.”
Fisher vented a little bit about a lack of sanding on roads, saying that years ago, the trucks got on it quicker and with more sand after snowstorms.
“And now we’re paying a lot more in taxes than we used to.”
Dean Andrews says some people are oblivious to the problems their driving creates.
“I just had to replace the front of my (pickup) bed. A lady pulled out in front of me and 1,200 pounds of shotgun lead (for ballast) slammed into it. She doesn’t know anything happened.
“I like this weather, though. I’d rather see this than summer.”
Bruce Baldwin puts his faith in studded snow tires and defensive driving.
“Unfortunately in Spokane there are so many people who think that all-weather tires will get them anywhere…. I see people slide up to the intersection then through the intersection.
“The $100 (to get studded tires put on and off) is cheap insurance to control what I do.”
He says that while he can’t control what other people do, he does try to allow for their mistakes.
“I drive by the rear view mirror. I give myself three or four car lengths in front and at intersections I watch cars coming up behind. If I see one skidding toward me, I have some room to move.”
, DataTimes MEMO: On Your Way is a Valley Voice column focusing on commuter lifestyles and issues. Your views on any of the topics discussed are invited. Please write: On Your Way, The Valley Voice, 13208 E. Sprague, Spokane, WA 99216. Or call Jim Springer at 459-5441.