On 8 Feb 2007 06:21:34 -0800, Tudor Hughes wrote:

For example a steep hill may become unusable due to lack of adhesion
and the traffic has to be diverted, adding to the congestion.

No amount of skill will increase the coefficient of friction between
tyres and ice, snow or slush.

True but knowledge and technique can ensure you make maximum use of what
traction is available. Hills become snarled up for ascending traffic
because people just floor the accelerator making the wheels spin.
Descending because they use the brakes, wheels lock and they slide out of
control into the equally out of control stuff trying to get up.

Gently gently in a high gear is the way to make progress, all but the
very gentlest of braking should be avoided, use the gears and engine to
slow down. Of course this means you have to look a long way ahead and
read the road properly. Just as Mr Lynagh illustrated I've done the same
thing on a snow covered hill (Westbury Road, Bristol, up onto the downs,
early 80's I think) cars with spinning wheels sliding about all over the
place trying to get up. Me, just have it in third about 20mph it simply
chugs up and past them all, no fuss no drama.

Perhaps part of the test ought to be to drive a car that has no or
minimal brakes?

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail