Be safe when driving on ice
By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos
It's been a pretty amazing early winter for cold temperatures and snowfall, especially out East where we've already seen 75 or 80 cm in the span of a week or two. As tempting as it might seem, though, despite the deep-freeze that's followed for a week, I'd still be extremely tentative about heading out on lakes and rivers...
According to various sources, ice thickness should be at least four inches (10 cm) thick before its safe to be walked on, and should be at least five inches (13 cm) before you can ride on it safely with a snowmobile.
For average cars and small pickups, double that thickness, so from eight to 12 inches (20-30 cm); full-size pickups need from 12 to 15 inches (30-38 cm), and if you have a heavy-duty rig, you can do the math.
Does anyone here enjoy getting out on the ice, whether for fishing or riding? Let us know what the conditions around your favourite spot are like.
Justin Couture
Mark Atkinson
John LeBlanc
Posted by: 655Hemi | 2013-01-08 4:52:15 PM
To add;
I suggest the DOT test all drivers on an every other year basis. Regular driving tests would weed out some of the idiots on the road today. Seniors (65 and up) take the driving test every year.
If you are caught texting or talking on a cell phone (hands free or not) you lose your vehicle, period!!!
Classify drivers based on their driving ability. If you don't rate in the top level you don't qualify to drive on a major highway or any road for that matter.
And timid drivers must also stay off all major highways. You are a hazard!!!
Posted by: Tom | 2013-01-09 11:49:22 AM
Seems like "655Hem" above doesn't even understand the concept of leaving a comment about the "SUbject at Hand", that being driving on ice. So it's pretty obvious he shouldn't be driving either. Period.
Ok so driving on ice. The guidlines in the article seem to be a good standard. But, one thing for everyone to be aware of.
In the eyes of the insurance industry pay carefull attention to this. A car or truck, it doesn't matter, if it is only a "2 (two) wheel drive vehicle, the moment your tires touch the ice, your insurance is "canceled, voided, revoked, no longer in force". If your 2 whheel drive vehicle is on the ice and you go through, you are as they say "S.O.L."
If your on the ice in a 4x4 you're covered. So whats the difference? A 4x4 is concidered an "off road vehicle" and that's also why your insurance is slightly higher. The insurance companies know they are taking a bigger risk, because as an off road vehicle, you're going to be taking chances you wouldn't otherwise take.
So remember, 2wheel drive on ice= NO INSURANCE.
4x4 on ice, you got insurance.
And I have been on the ice both out and inside a vehicle. When the vehicle goes through, you have about 10 seconds to get out.
Posted by: Christian | 2013-01-09 7:56:43 PM
To 655hemi, if you say take a persons car away for talking on a handsfree system then you pretty much need to ban even conversing with other people in the vehicle when you have passengers. And for that matter, might as well ban children from vehicles because they are almost always causing some kind of distraction or another. Caught driving with your baby in the car, lose the car! Sounds stupid doesn't it, so does taking someones car for talking on a hands free system.