Humboldt tragedy
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,874
Re: Humboldt tragedy
I suppose it depends how slowly you were going. If it was less than the posted speed limit then you would doubtless have a queue of cars behind you dithering about overtaking. If I was on the way to work then, yes, I'd pass you all. 60 mph is the allowable speed where the road is posted 80 kph so I pass cars going more slowly than that (and I mean 60 on the cruise control, not 60 on the flat straight bits).
soooooooooo
you're the guy who pays no attention to the road conditions or the weather?
If the speed limit is 80 kph, you'll drive 60 kph even if the weather and road conditions are bloomin' terrible?
#17
Re: Humboldt tragedy
Today, for example, there is an ice storm with accumulated ice pellets a couple of inches deep on the roads. I was able to sustain 60 for the ten miles or so to the grocery store. I passed someone on the way back, a pick up with a trailer that was going slowly, perhaps 40mph. I did so on a long straight stretch whereas, in better conditions, I would have passed sooner; the conditions dictated that I not accelerate violently and so I waited for the long straight. Safe and slow are not synonymous.
Do we know, btw, what the cause of the bus crash was? Maybe none of this is relevant.
#18
limey party pooper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,982
Re: Humboldt tragedy
I suppose it depends how slowly you were going. If it was less than the posted speed limit then you would doubtless have a queue of cars behind you dithering about overtaking. If I was on the way to work then, yes, I'd pass you all. 60 mph is the allowable speed where the road is posted 80 kph so I pass cars going more slowly than that (and I mean 60 on the cruise control, not 60 on the flat straight bits).
#19
Re: Humboldt tragedy
Then you would be a bit of a twit. It's an 80 kph road that I normally drive at 100kph and on that day I drove at 75 to 80 - which was just about ok for the conditions. It's in rolling hills so it's tricky to see what's pulling out onto the road and I didn't want to go too fast in case I rear ended a car with no rear lights. Oh and there was a farm tractor and trailer pootling along without lights.
#20
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Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,874
Re: Humboldt tragedy
I will have my lights on and the windows clear, I am paying attention to the conditions. I even have winter tyres. I just won't dither.
Today, for example, there is an ice storm with accumulated ice pellets a couple of inches deep on the roads. I was able to sustain 60 for the ten miles or so to the grocery store. I passed someone on the way back, a pick up with a trailer that was going slowly, perhaps 40mph. I did so on a long straight stretch whereas, in better conditions, I would have passed sooner; the conditions dictated that I not accelerate violently and so I waited for the long straight. Safe and slow are not synonymous.
Do we know, btw, what the cause of the bus crash was? Maybe none of this is relevant.
Today, for example, there is an ice storm with accumulated ice pellets a couple of inches deep on the roads. I was able to sustain 60 for the ten miles or so to the grocery store. I passed someone on the way back, a pick up with a trailer that was going slowly, perhaps 40mph. I did so on a long straight stretch whereas, in better conditions, I would have passed sooner; the conditions dictated that I not accelerate violently and so I waited for the long straight. Safe and slow are not synonymous.
Do we know, btw, what the cause of the bus crash was? Maybe none of this is relevant.
No, we do not know the cause.
The RCMP says it could take weeks for them to determine the cause.
It is hard to comprehend how 2 vehicles could meet, seemingly in the middle of an intersection on the Prairies where you can see for miles and miles, roads are straight, and the weather was apparently "good". I'm always amazed when we have driven there, and when we are on the train, just how far you can see ........ nothing in the way except windbreaks around farm buildings.
But, we don't know ................. and that is why I find some of the theorising on this thread more than a little disturbing.
#21
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: High River AB
Posts: 571
Re: Humboldt tragedy
The coach had the right of way, the truck had a stop sign.
For whatever reason, the truck ran the stop sign and the coach t-boned the truck.
The front 5-6ft of that coach has been ripped off.
This crash happened with both vehicles travelling and colliding at a fair pace, otherwise that carnage would not have spread so far from the road.
For whatever reason, the truck ran the stop sign and the coach t-boned the truck.
The front 5-6ft of that coach has been ripped off.
This crash happened with both vehicles travelling and colliding at a fair pace, otherwise that carnage would not have spread so far from the road.
#22
limey party pooper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,982
Re: Humboldt tragedy
I like speed, I like driving fast, but there's no opportunity for fun driving here so now I drive an automatic and rein in my thoughts of rally driving.
#23
limey party pooper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,982
Re: Humboldt tragedy
The coach had the right of way, the truck had a stop sign.
For whatever reason, the truck ran the stop sign and the coach t-boned the truck.
The front 5-6ft of that coach has been ripped off.
This crash happened with both vehicles travelling and colliding at a fair pace, otherwise that carnage would not have spread so far from the road.
For whatever reason, the truck ran the stop sign and the coach t-boned the truck.
The front 5-6ft of that coach has been ripped off.
This crash happened with both vehicles travelling and colliding at a fair pace, otherwise that carnage would not have spread so far from the road.
#24
Re: Humboldt tragedy
The first time I was forced to squeal around a truck who'd fortunately slowed a little when he saw me and I narrowly avoided the car-in-a-ditch problem. Fortunately there was nothing coming the other way.
I now approach junctions where I see cars approaching with some anticipation.
The second happened a few weeks ago. A woman in a car simply didn't stop and crossed in front of me . Simply staring ahead and just didn't stop at the stop sign. I was forced to brake and shake my head. I just knew it was going to happen.
A smallish crossover can, with luck, cope with issues like this. I wouldn't have been able to avoid these potential collisions in a coach.
#25
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Humboldt tragedy
I just assume when approaching an intersection that the other car/s are not going to stop and slow a bit, I don't trust other drivers, and since going to a scooter I really don't trust other drivers who seem intent on killing anyone on 2 wheels.
#26
Re: Humboldt tragedy
I've often thought that you need to have ridden a motor cycle in order to appreciate road dangers and learn to anticipate other driver's reactions and understand road conditions. I stopped riding motor cycles more than 20 years ago but the lessons learned have served me well.
#27
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Humboldt tragedy
I've often thought that you need to have ridden a motor cycle in order to appreciate road dangers and learn to anticipate other driver's reactions and understand road conditions. I stopped riding motor cycles more than 20 years ago but the lessons learned have served me well.
#28
Re: Humboldt tragedy
I've often thought that you need to have ridden a motor cycle in order to appreciate road dangers and learn to anticipate other driver's reactions and understand road conditions. I stopped riding motor cycles more than 20 years ago but the lessons learned have served me well.
#29
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Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,874
Re: Humboldt tragedy
Intersections on long straight roads are a problem when the main road vehicles are at a fair speed and the drivers bored/inattentive with the long straight road. Stop signs just aren't enough. Highway 28 north of Port Hope has an intersection with lights and before the lights there are additional flashing lights warning you that you need to prepare to stop.
The stop sign had a flashing red light above it ...... the flashing light added about 20 years ago when 6 people were killed in a similar accident.
I read where they are thinking of adding rumble strips before the intersection to warn there is a stop sign ahead.
But there is also this problem of the trees along part of the minor road that could have blocked sight lines for both drivers.
I heard the young man who has the broken back interviewed on CBC radio on Friday. He said he heard the coach driver shout "Whoa", try to stop, and then everything went black for him until he woke to find himself on the road having been thrown out of the coach. From that, it sounded as if the coach driver had little warning.
Should these hockey coaches have seat belts??????????
#30
Re: Humboldt tragedy
Driving today wasn't fun. Ice build up on the wheels gave the car the shakes so I stuck to 80 in an 80. You know how, when there are bands of snow across the road, the car rises and falls like a sailing boat? We had that today but it wasn't snow, it was ice pellet drifts. I would welcome a move to a temperate climate, going where the weather suits my cars, almost like Nilsson.