Winter Driving Etiquette question

In snarled snow and ice situations, does it annoy you when a vehicle with more capability elects to pass the “stranded crowd” and continue on his way? (Assuming it’s done in a safe manner.)

The recent tales of problems in the PNW (I-5) got me thinking of an incident when our area was hit with a big ice storm.

I found myself stuck on a multilane highway with hundreds of other cars because of an ice-coated road and a steep hill ahead. About a mile in front of us, you could see that none of the vehicles could crest the hill due to the ice. They were all stymied about halfway up due to the increasing slope. After waiting for 15-20 minutes, it became apparent the no one was making the hill, and there would be no movement until the arrival of either sand trucks or tow trucks. I climbed out of my truck, pulled on my overalls, and began installing my tire chains. I was apparently the only one in the crowd so equipped. When I finished, I moved to the right shoulder (which was clear of vehicles) and began slowly moving up the hill. Just before it got steep, the driver of a big BMW, with much spinning of tires and slipping, managed to pull out of the traffic line and block my way. He punctuated this by giving me the finger with both hands.

I was stumped by this, but moved to the right into the grass and passed around him. Beemer-boy was moving, but unable to match my traction. He did however follow me for a few more yards, honking, yelling and continuing to the 1-finger salute until his car could go no further. I continued the remaining mile or so on the shoulder, crested the hill and went on my merry way.

So back to my question, especially to those who drive frequently in winter conditions. Does it piss you off when someone uses additional vehicle capability to surpass the crowd in this kind of situation? Remember, my movement did not affect anyone’s progress in any way. Also, I’m talking about real capability (chained tires), not the case of some dinglefritz who thinks his 4-wheel drive allows him to zoom around on solid ice. (Trust me, there were plenty of demonstrations of this fallacy that day).

Curious to hear your responses, thanks.

Ah, no. Beemer-boy is an idiot.

ETA: Like the idiot in front of me a few days ago. Not winter-related, but the guy was going the speed limit (80KPH). I waited until a passing lane on the highway approached, and then pulled out to pass. But, idiot-face decides to speed up to 120KPH. Great, I think, no need to pass now. After the passing lane ends he slows back down to the speed limit and I’m stuck behind him again. I laid back a bit, but was looking for an opportunity to pass. A few kilometers later, he turns off the highway and as I pass him he gives me the finger. WTF? Some people are just idiots.

No, in this situation, I think you were fine. I would do the same.

This happens so often here that it amazes me (only without the finger). I honestly wonder if people are day-dreaming and are startled into speeding up when they notice they’re being passed. It’s so common I can’t attribute it all to assholery.

I live in Wisconsin, so am no stranger to rough winter road conditions.

Here, those that can, do!

You did right.

The only questionable part of your actions as I see it is driving on the shoulder; in this case, however, that’s not really an issue since the main lanes were blocked. At least around here, in traffic jams, I see people often passing down the shoulders, which is not only illegal, but potentially dangerous. It’s not uncommon that I’ve seen people pull partially into the shoulder to block those people, either because they’re being self-righteous and think it’s their job to enforce the law, or because they don’t like the idea of someone passing them. So, is it possible that the Beemer guy was upset more because you were driving on the shoulder and not so much that you were passing him?

Regardless, there’s no reason for anyone to be upset about someone passing them in the snow unless they’re doing so dangerously, but then, getting upset and attempting to stop them just escalates the danger of the situation. I’ve seen people driving ridiculously slow or driving cars they shouldn’t in the snow, and I’ll pass them when I can do so safely. Just disregard the Beemer guy and go about your way.

I live in the Wasatch mountains and have a commute through provo Canyon which can be entertaining. BWM boy was an idiot, to echo Qadgop - those who can do.

Some people are just indescribably and pointlessly aggressive on the road. I’ve known people who would speed up just to prevent someone coming the other way from turning left in front of them even though it wouldn’t affect them in the slightest.

Heck, you go guy! I’m grequently in the same position, having a AWD car with snow tires and having to dodge Civics with 5 yr old all seasons trying to climb a hill.

If I were one of the stranded cars, I might have tried to ask you politely for a tow, however.

As for Beemer boy, neener neener!
Guess who’s buying a hummer with the next end of year bonus…

I’m generally against people passing on the right shoulder to save themselves time but I am totally with you on this one.

What would Beemer-boy have gained by your being stuck as well? Maybe he was anticipating being stuck there for a long period and was planning to cannibalize you to stay alive?

It’s a Corolla, not a Civic, thankyewverymuch. :smiley:

In the OP, nope, you did nothing wrong. When we’re all driving and slipping around on ice and some yahoo in a pickup thinks because his vehicle is bigger that he has better traction on glare ice than I do (my tires are actually not bad) and rides my bumper until he can pass me at a high rate of speed, THAT’S assholish (and I usually pass them a few blocks later, stuck in a ditch). If everyone is stuck on a hill and not going anywhere, slowly creeping past the blocked traffic is acceptable.

so a few dozen people to dumb to climb the hill at higher speeds get stuck and expect you to just hang out in the cold with them?

I get the impression you don’t quite understand the situation in the OP.

I think the idea is that the people who could not get up the hill, and were causing the lineup, should have attempted the hill at a higher speed so that their momentum would help carry them to the top.

While I do have some experience driving in snow, I don’t have that much driving on sheets of ice. So I can’t opine on the advisability of that strategy.

Oh I advise that strategy. Absolutely, Just rev that engine up, speed up and get over that hill. Preferably while I’m watching from a safe vantage point with my video camera. America’s Funniest Home Injuries always need new material. Maybe I can win the big prize.

The problem with this strategy is that it often works but when it fails, it really fails. Spinning 360 degrees on sheet ice while moving at 60 MPH is about the most effective cure for constipation I’ve ever found.

It isn’t worth it.

Despite my well ingrained sense of justice in petty social situations, I’d never pull out into the shoulder in traffic to stop someone. A sense of “justice” isn’t worth my life or having to engage in a fight with someone else. There’s a non-zero percentage of people out there who might pull a gun on your for a stunt like that.

Agreed. My intuitive feeling is that it might be more dangerous here (TX) than in some places. There seems to be a correlation between pickups and aggressiveness, also. Since we’ve got the largest fleet of armed pickups in the world, I figure it pays to be polite. Funny that in the case of this thread, I was the one in the big pickup truck.:stuck_out_tongue:

Was this you? :eek:

Naw, but it sure looks like one my cousins. :slight_smile:

Sorry, that doesn’t make much more sense. I like Alpha Twit’s suggestion - if you plan to go charging at icy hills at high speeds, make sure you film it for Youtube. :slight_smile:

I am experienced at snow and ice driving, and going faster on ice is almost never the solution. When we get a hill here that is so iced up that no one (except people like pullin, that is) can get up it, people back down the hill or eventually just abandon their vehicles. It happened to my husband last year (November 27th, actually). Chances are there are some people in the crowd who have kitty litter in their trunks, too, and would be willing to share it with others. Which reminds me, I’ve got to put some kitty litter in my trunk again.