New pants please....

[Lowe]

I just had the nearest of near misses I've ever encountered in 11 years of driving. Driving down the M6 towards J12, when the heavens open. The road is already saturated, and the ferocity of the downpour is making the road far worse. Small standing water pockets are building up, traffic is reacting slowly, but thankfully slowing down.

I'm in the outside lane doing 60mph when I hit a huge patch of water - absolutely huge. The engine nearly stalls, I manage to dip the clutch and drop a gear to keep the revs up, the rear end goes light and begins to let go. Traffic to my side has cleared away luckily, but I managed to keep it pointing in the right direction.

Unfortunately, someone who hit the same patch of water before me (out of my sight at this point) wasn't so lucky. They'd spun out, and were stuck facing the wrong way on the outside lane...

It was at this point I thanked the lord I chose decent tyres instead of budgets. F1's + Brembo to the rescue, and I managed to bleed enough speed off to give me the reaction time to swerve and miss the stationary car...

I hope to God the people following me managed to miss them too, that is one situation I do NOT want to be in again. I got off the next junction and took it the scenic route home!

[Tumble]

eeeeeeeeeee.... sort of tale that makes me teeth itch With you all the way on the good tyres thing tho - after all, they're the only bits of your car actually in contact with the road.....

[Howard]

I've almost been in similar situations, hitting huge patches of water on the A316 in greater London, makes everything suddenly feel lighter!

[Zak33]

Well done Lowe. It's times like that when you thank your history for driving fast, a lot, cos you're brain sorts it all out.

I'd advise EVERYONE here of the following though, cos I nearly came-a-cropper due to fogetting the basics myself.

When on any fast road (A road, Dual Carriage, or Motorway) and it's even a bit rainy....

USE BOTH HANDS on the wheel..... don't drive along with one on the wheel, elbow on the door, and the other holding your missus hand.

DOnt' do it...and if you do, for a short squeeze , NEVER< EVER< NEVER have your fingers interlaced with hers.

Because....you cant whip your hand back when the offside tyres hit a puddle, dragging you towards the armco, and with one hand only, it's bloody hard to stay calm, and correct it. I did, but it's not gonna happen ever again.

Warned....you all have been!

[chuckskull]

Eep. Might wanna wipe the seat down

Last scare of 2006.

[SilentDeath]

Since I got new tires I have had no problems with water, even big puddles

Oil seems to get me though. The roundabout I done a 180 at, was oily (few months ago) becuase its where all the traffic stops every morning, dumpiing unburnt fuel/desiel onto the roads..

It happened again a few days ago, I could feel understeering a bit, (wasnt sure so I turned a bit more ) rear end started to let go - steered into it and braked for a second and it straightened out.

[Stephen B]

scary indeed, but it always impresses me how the brain goes into "survival" mode on these ocassions, and I'm with Zak on the "driving like a loon as a teen" does have some benefits in knowing how a car is going to react in unfamiliar circumstances.

I advise any driver to go to a remote spot this winter and get A "FEEL" for your car dynamics, or better still go on a few track days with your own car or one of these open wheel or rally sessions.

I sound like grandpa here, but average driving speeds these days are a lot higher than when I was younger and you simply don't have the same amount of reaction time these days before you find yourself heading for an immovable object.

Cars may be better engineered, but you cant change nature or the laws of physics when traction is gone

[Zak33]

I sound like grandpa here, but average driving speeds these days are a lot higher than when I was younger and you simply don't have the same amount of reaction time these days before you find yourself heading for an immovable object.

Cars may be better engineered, but you cant change nature or the laws of physics when traction is gone

well worded

Happy New Year

[Mossy]

I have just come from Gloucester to Bolton M5 to M6 and the rain came down, hate driving in conditions like this especially when you can't see past your own nose and you have left your diving glasses at work!!!

Traffic
Rain
Fog
Blindness all work against you when all you want to do is get home and put your feet up!

oh and people determined to stay in the fast lane when the nearside lanes are moving faster!!

[Konan555]

Once hit a puddle so deep (at quite a low speed) that I dipped my front skirt under the water.

You think it drags to one side with just the wheel in....

[[GSV]Trig]

Well done Lowe. It's times like that when you thank your history for driving fast, a lot, cos you're brain sorts it all out.

I thought driving fast killed and driving like a boy racer was to be condoned and such behaviour was causing the downfall of the British Empire?!
Are you suggesting knowing the limits of yourself and the car actually save lives and that driving like Miss Daisy is your girlfriend doesnt actually make you a good driver..?

God forbid!


I agree with the tyre comment made earlier tho, the tyres are the only part touching the road (unless your exhaust is falling off) and shouldnt ever be budget buys...

Nice one Lowe, chalk another one up for the "Spirited Drivers" that actually know how to react and do so in a calm presise manner.