The Class of 2007 has Graduated!
There we went Again!
Having enjoyed Oregon winters for many, many years I have learned that with every First Winter Snowfall we must again suffer graduating another class of Drivers who haven't the slightest idea as to how to manage in snow and ice.
This problem intensified during the late 70's when Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles became popular as their improved traction gave many new drivers a false impression the road was less slick. That was until they tried stopping, where the FWD's lost any and all advantage.
Prior to FWD vehicles, most of the Nits, Ninnies and Ignos never made it out of the driveway or parking place and allowed those who were able to maneuver to travel in peace.
Then it became even more of an annual Catastrophe with the popularity of 4WD SUV's purchased by those who watched and believed the TV commercial showing them climbing out of avalanches and then ripping down an invisible highway at break-neck speeds. Who needs a snowmobile?
Its simple, just settle back in the leather luxury, turn on the seat heaters, flip on the Automatic Traction Control and away you go. If you have any doubt how well they work you need only drive over the Cascades on any snowy day and watch as the Igno's pass all the experienced drivers and later wave to you from a ditch.
Next, came the influx of escapees from California who brought with them their Dry Pavement SUV's and who I suspect were most of those who we watched in yesterday's video shown sliding down Portland hills, one-after-another, after another and another.
The good news is today with the Graduation Exercise over and yet with even more ice than yesterday, travel on our streets and highways has returned to a workable state, save a few stragglers who were late for class. Pot smokers perhaps?
Nothing else, the TV News folks grabbed some healthy over-time as they will next year about the same time.
Having enjoyed Oregon winters for many, many years I have learned that with every First Winter Snowfall we must again suffer graduating another class of Drivers who haven't the slightest idea as to how to manage in snow and ice.
This problem intensified during the late 70's when Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles became popular as their improved traction gave many new drivers a false impression the road was less slick. That was until they tried stopping, where the FWD's lost any and all advantage.
Prior to FWD vehicles, most of the Nits, Ninnies and Ignos never made it out of the driveway or parking place and allowed those who were able to maneuver to travel in peace.
Then it became even more of an annual Catastrophe with the popularity of 4WD SUV's purchased by those who watched and believed the TV commercial showing them climbing out of avalanches and then ripping down an invisible highway at break-neck speeds. Who needs a snowmobile?
Its simple, just settle back in the leather luxury, turn on the seat heaters, flip on the Automatic Traction Control and away you go. If you have any doubt how well they work you need only drive over the Cascades on any snowy day and watch as the Igno's pass all the experienced drivers and later wave to you from a ditch.
Next, came the influx of escapees from California who brought with them their Dry Pavement SUV's and who I suspect were most of those who we watched in yesterday's video shown sliding down Portland hills, one-after-another, after another and another.
The good news is today with the Graduation Exercise over and yet with even more ice than yesterday, travel on our streets and highways has returned to a workable state, save a few stragglers who were late for class. Pot smokers perhaps?
Nothing else, the TV News folks grabbed some healthy over-time as they will next year about the same time.
posted by Localfella at 8:38 AM
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