I am perfectly OK... but I just committed the cardinal sin of not slowing down when driving a car right when it starts raining HARD.

Story - I hit a HUGE puddle on the outer beltline this morning, proceeded to hydroplane about 30 feet, which turned the car slightly toward the median. Once the tires regained traction, the car was pointed toward the concrete barrier in the median... which is precisely what I crashed into. In retrospect, I should have been going even slower than I was since it started raining literally as I was getting into the car. Still, considering how strongly I hydroplaned, I'm honestly not sure if I'd have avoided it even if I was going under the speed limit.

Luckily no one else was directly behind me. Have to thank a fellow named Reggie, who pulled up behind me and put his emergency flashers on to keep traffic away from me while I waited for the police and tow truck. Prayers for my car are appreciated. From the looks of things I'd say that chances are good that it survives, but we'll see.


Regardless, guys PLEASE use this as a reminder not be an idiot on the road when it starts raining. Don't make the same dumb mistake that I did.

6/16/2009 9:33:49 AM

who doesn't know this?

6/16/2009 9:34:44 AM

6/16/2009 9:36:32 AM

motherfucker ain't nobody gonna pray for your car

kids getting maimed by car bombs in iraq

6/16/2009 9:38:26 AM

Did you have your lights on?
That's one of my biggest pet peeves, no lights on when it's raining.

6/16/2009 9:40:30 AM

no lights, windshield wipers, and no tread left on the tires, is what I heard.

6/16/2009 9:47:05 AM

first of all - instead of slowing down, move to the right. i'm completely fed up with the totally incompetent drivers around here. your silly ass, like previously stated ^, prolly had bald ass tires and overcompensated when you started to hydroplane - and - i'm sure you were hitting your brakes while doing so -

why dont you do everyone a favor and just ride a bike from now on

[Edited on June 16, 2009 at 9:58 AM. Reason : aaaaaaaaaaa]

6/16/2009 9:53:45 AM

Quote :

"i'm completely fed up with the totally incompetent drivers around here."

it's funny how in surveys, something like 90% of people self-rate themselves as "above average drivers".
It's always "other people", isn't it? I mean, sure, you probably know how to drive at 65mph through 2" of water or keep 50mph on solid ice, but no one else does, right?

6/16/2009 10:02:17 AM

I'm sorry you had a wreck, Erios.

Glad you're all right.

6/16/2009 10:03:56 AM

^^seeing as though i've never had a collision/accident/incident in any inclement weather - i donno smart ass- why dont you tell me?

[Edited on June 16, 2009 at 10:04 AM. Reason : ^]

6/16/2009 10:04:19 AM

Quote :

" Still, considering how strongly I hydroplaned, I'm honestly not sure if I'd have avoided it even if I was going under the speed limit."

I promise there is a speed you could have been going that is slow enough not to hydroplane into a wall.

6/16/2009 10:12:50 AM

^^ well, me neither (or any accident, for that matter), despite being 8 years older than you (according to your profile) and growing up in the mountains with frequent ice, snow and heavy rain.

and maybe you are an above average driver, and maybe you do have supernatural hydroplaning-driving skills. if so, congrats. I guess we need more of you on the road.

but it's just the attitude of "GAWD, what is wrong with all your stupid southern city folks who don't know how to driver!! Back where I'M from, this is nothing! When I was a kid, we had to drive 50 miles through 1 foot of water each way to school!" that gets under my skin, whenever it rains or ices around here.

6/16/2009 10:22:10 AM

i've noticed that most people who are in accidents like these choose the absolute cheapest tires they can get and expect the best results or they don't take care of their vehicles and drive around on bald tires.

sucks that you had an accident erios.

6/16/2009 10:26:40 AM

I hydroplaned 20 feet.

Made it to work no prob.

Continue on.

6/16/2009 10:54:37 AM

^^^first of all - we're the same age

second of all - i'm from here - and i still think that people in this state cant f-in drive
we do need more of me on the road - i mean, for christ's sake - do you have any idea how many people i saw this AM without headlights on?

6/16/2009 10:58:25 AM

Quote :

"but it's just the attitude of "GAWD, what is wrong with all your stupid southern city folks who don't know how to driver!! Back where I'M from, this is nothing! When I was a kid, we had to drive 50 miles through 1 foot of water each way to school!" that gets under my skin, whenever it rains or ices around here."

I used to agree with this, then I walked from campus to my apartment on Lake Dam Road during the Great Ice Storm of 05. There was a quarter inch of ice on the road and it shut down the entire city. I counted something like half a dozen wrecks in my hour long walk down Avent Ferry. I remember hearing stories of it taking people five or six hours to make what was usually a 30 minute commute. I wasn't checking IDs or anything, so I don't know where all these shitty drivers were from, but I feel safe in saying that people freak the fuck out during inclement weather.

--

Also, there was the only wreck I've ever been in: 17 years old, freshman year at State, driving 40W through Greensboro during a fairly light rain on a Friday evening. I was in the far left lane just before the E. Lee Street exit, probably doing around 70, there was full-size pickup five or six car lengths ahead of me.

Suddenly the pickup swerves into the lane to the right and I see a car at a dead stop in my lane a few hundred yards ahead. There was traffic to the right of me, so I couldn't change lanes; on the shoulder beside the stopped car were two cars: a Mustang and the car that the Mustang had apparently rear-ended. I had no option but to hit the brakes and hope for the best.

I hit the stopped car doing about 50, totaled my car and destroyed the rear of the other car. Everyone was fine, even the two kids in the back of the car I hit. The driver was an old lady who never got out of the car, so I never found out why she was at a full stop in the middle of the fucking interstate.

I realize this is all anecdotal, but it's enough to convince me that everyone on the road is a retard. Protect ya neck.

[Edited on June 16, 2009 at 11:07 AM. Reason : ]

6/16/2009 11:00:25 AM

been there, glad you're not dead.

6/16/2009 11:03:18 AM

rain or a little ice turns already dumbass nc drivers into complete dumbass drivers

6/16/2009 11:05:23 AM

I usually speed up when I see these huge puddles of water on the side of the road -- just to make sure my awd traction control LED still lights up.

If I can time it right and throw a 5 foot wall of murky disgusting road water onto some innocent bystander, it's bonus points.

6/16/2009 11:24:24 AM

Quote :

"It's always "other people", isn't it? I mean, sure, you probably know how to drive at 65mph through 2" of water or keep 50mph on solid ice, but no one else does, right? "

I've got enough sense not to drive 30 mph in the far left lane on the belt line, thereby forcing everyone to pass on the right (saw this twice this morning).

I'm all for driving slower when it rains. You have to. There is a point though where you probably need to reevaluate your choice of lanes and maybe even reevaluate your choice of roads if a little rain causes you to go 20mph under the speed limit. Heavy traffic I can even understand, but what's wrong with you when you've got nothing but open road ahead?

6/16/2009 11:45:24 AM

Quote :

"Suddenly the pickup swerves into the lane to the right and I see a car at a dead stop in my lane a few hundred yards ahead. There was traffic to the right of me, so I couldn't change lanes; on the shoulder beside the stopped car were two cars: a Mustang and the car that the Mustang had apparently rear-ended. I had no option but to hit the brakes and hope for the best. I hit the stopped car doing about 50, totaled my car and destroyed the rear of the other car. Everyone was fine, even the two kids in the back of the car I hit. The driver was an old lady who never got out of the car, so I never found out why she was at a full stop in the middle of the fucking interstate."

You saw a stopped car three football fields away and still hit them going 50? Were you going like 225 MPH?

6/16/2009 11:52:44 AM

Quote :

"I've got enough sense not to drive 30 mph in the far left lane on the belt line, thereby forcing everyone to pass on the right (saw this twice this morning)"

THANK YOU! get out of the left lane except to pass! you do not own the road with your weighted pick up.

brake checks will be issued to all offenders

6/16/2009 11:54:06 AM

Quote :

"You saw a stopped car three football fields away and still hit them going 50? Were you going like 225 MPH?"

I have no idea what the distance was. I was doing 70 on a wet road. I also don't know the exact speed I hit the other car (sorry!) but I estimate it to be about 50 mph.

6/16/2009 12:21:19 PM

useless without pics

6/16/2009 12:26:57 PM

Quote :

"I am perfectly OK... but I just committed the cardinal sin of not slowing down when driving a car right when it starts raining HARD. Story - I hit a HUGE puddle on the outer beltline this morning, proceeded to hydroplane about 30 feet, which turned the car slightly toward the median. Once the tires regained traction, the car was pointed toward the concrete barrier in the median... which is precisely what I crashed into. In retrospect, I should have been going even slower than I was since it started raining literally as I was getting into the car. Still, considering how strongly I hydroplaned, I'm honestly not sure if I'd have avoided it even if I was going under the speed limit. Luckily no one else was directly behind me. Have to thank a fellow named Reggie, who pulled up behind me and put his emergency flashers on to keep traffic away from me while I waited for the police and tow truck. Prayers for my car are appreciated. From the looks of things I'd say that chances are good that it survives, but we'll see. Regardless, guys PLEASE use this as a reminder not be an idiot on the road when it starts raining. Don't make the same dumb mistake that I did."

how fast were you going, and how bald are your tires? Oh what kind of car too?

6/16/2009 12:30:58 PM

Sorry to hear about your car.

6/16/2009 12:40:18 PM

thanks hooksaw and Kiwi for the kind words. Shrike, yeah I'm glad I'm not dead too

Figured I'd get some typical douchenozzle responses tho. I recommend that all of you jackasses that had to take a potshot at me volunteer to teach a driving safety class. Please don't let your immense wisdom on the subject go to waste. Now go! Right now! There are bad drivers out there who need your help!

Quote :

"how fast were you going, and how bald are your tires? Oh what kind of car too?"

The tires have about a year, year and half worth of tread on them, so I don't think that was an issue. I was going about 65 mph and was driving a 2008 Honda Civic.

6/16/2009 1:12:43 PM

Quote :

"Once the tires regained traction, the car was pointed toward the concrete barrier in the median... which is precisely what I crashed into. "

did you turn into the skid?

6/16/2009 2:48:09 PM

Quote :

"That's one of my biggest pet peeves, no lights on when it's raining."

Legally speaking you are not required to have headlights on when it's raining but you do if you have your wipers on. Being on a motorcycle I want to throat chop every clown who refuses to use lights with wipers on or they think that parking lights will suffice.

I am glad that you are okay, Erios.

6/16/2009 3:20:11 PM

Hydroplaning is one of those excuses that girls use when they stomp the gas instead of the brake.

[Edited on June 16, 2009 at 3:32 PM. Reason : not that you did that. just saying.]

6/16/2009 3:26:37 PM

^^ Thanks man.

Quote :

"did you turn into the skid?"

Honestly I didn't have time. There's maybe 3-4 feet between the left-most lane and the concrete barrier in the median. I hydroplaned for a couple seconds at most, which was about enough time to go through the following thought process:

"What the... oh shit I'm hydroplaning... oh shit I'm skidding left... Oh this is gonna..."

::BANG::

"...hurt..."

6/16/2009 6:17:51 PM

Quote :

"Legally speaking you are not required to have headlights on when it's raining but you do if you have your wipers on. "

They do need to rework this law, somehow. I don't have any suggestions for how, though. I use my wipers so much less because of rainx <3

Erios, I hydroplaned on 40 once, in rush hour-like traffic (midday, but it was especially thick), from the left lane all the way to the right, and ended up facing backwards. I know now that I was going entirely too fast (and in fact, immediately before it happened, I thought "You know, there's a semi beside me, and it's coming down. I think I'll slow down"). It's been well over a year, and my stomach still flies into my throat ANY time the road is wet and something feels a little different than usual. Like the change in pavement on western between the prison and pullen park

I'm glad you're okay.

6/16/2009 7:21:31 PM

Quote :

"Legally speaking you are not required to have headlights on when it's raining but you do if you have your wipers on."

You know I hate being that guy, but legally speaking if you have on your fucking wipers your fucking headlights are supposed to be on.

http://www.ncdot.org/doh/PRECONSTRUCT/traffic/teppl/Topics/M-28/M-28_gs.pdf

Quote :

"Every vehicle upon a highway within this States hall be equipped with lighted headlamps...(4) At any other time when windshield wipers are in use as a result of smoke, fog, rain, sleet, or snow, or when inclement weather or environmental factors severely reduce the ability to clearly discern persons and vehicles on the street and highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead, provided, however,t he provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to instances when windshield wipers are used intermittently in misting rain, sleet, or snow. Any person violating this subdivision during the period from October 1, 1990, through December 31, 1991, shall be given a warning of the violation only. Thereafter, any person violating this subdivision shall have committed an infraction and shall pay a fine of five dollars ($5.00) and shall not be assessed court costs."

Now financially speaking... It'll cost the state more to pull you over than it will get back on the ticket. But if you're running around in the rain with your headlights off you're a dumbass.

[Edited on June 16, 2009 at 7:29 PM. Reason : argg pdf spacing]

6/16/2009 7:27:10 PM

Saw way too many people without their headlights on going out just now.

I mean, is it really that hard? It's kinda hard to see your instrument cluster right now, so you'd think people would realize to turn the damn things on.

6/16/2009 7:29:02 PM

Quote :

"You know I hate being that guy, but legally speaking if you have on your fucking wipers your fucking headlights are supposed to be on. "

You two are in agreement...how are you being 'that guy'?
If anything, you should only bold this part:

Quote :

"or when inclement weather or environmental factors severely reduce the ability to clearly discern persons and vehicles on the street and highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead"

The one that dictates when lights should be on, even if windshield wipers aren't

6/16/2009 7:30:24 PM

^ b/c i can't read right after i get off work haha

6/16/2009 9:06:32 PM

I'm glad you are okay! My family was driving to Jersey last Thursday and we were under a flood watch and we hydroplaned and did 3 360's into the guard rail. We had angels around us because we should definitley be dead and the car totaled.

[Edited on June 16, 2009 at 9:14 PM. Reason : *]

6/16/2009 9:13:35 PM

During Hurricane Floyd my father and I were traveling across county to get back home after helping grandma and grandpa with a few things, and helping a few other family members. We were going down NC 43 when we hit some extremely deep water at about 55 and hydroplaned for about 60 feet until we came to a stop, still in our lane.

We kept going until we got home that night, but we got extremely good at watching for water on the road. It was a crazy night though, help who we could while trying to stay safe. We provided some transport around Greenville for a bit, but the waters rose higher than that Chevy Blazer could ford. So many people lost so much that night.

6/16/2009 9:25:56 PM

what kind of moron keeps cranking in steering input when there's no front traction?

noobs.

6/16/2009 9:36:42 PM

When I was 18 or 19 I had new tires put on my 89 camaro. Some idiot at the garage put them on backwards so that the next time it lightly rained the tires channeled the water to the center and late one night I did a full 360 on the beltline but ended up pointed straight ahead and undamaged in the same lane. It was the ultimate "Did that just happen?" moment in my life at that point.

No other cars were there to witness it and no one believes that it happened.

6/17/2009 12:10:24 AM

What's even more fun is my father being a retard when we were driving in the Olympia national forest during a heavy snow. He was driving an unloaded excursion in 2WD mode in 2-3 inch snow on cruise control.

Going up a hill, he corrects steering slightly and suddenly we're sideways. Not exciting.

6/17/2009 2:02:37 AM

Quote :

"Saw way too many people without their headlights on going out just now. I mean, is it really that hard? It's kinda hard to see your instrument cluster right now, so you'd think people would realize to turn the damn things on."

The problem I run into is one that I bet a lot of other folks have too. My car has automatic headlamps that come on when it gets dark. They're fairly sensitive so sometimes they'll come on even if I'm just passing through heavy shade or its a very overcast day. Rain, however, is kind of chancy--sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. Oftentimes it'll take me a minute to realize "hey, are my headlights actually on" and look closely enough at the instrument panel for it to register, and turn them on if they didn't come on by themselves.

6/17/2009 3:10:01 PM

yeah, my auto headlamps are a bitch, too

6/17/2009 3:26:05 PM

Public Service Announcement:
Get new/better tires.

FACT:
A set of good tires properly inflated will reduce your chance of hydroplaning by 9,000% percent.

KTHNKSBYE

6/17/2009 3:57:14 PM

Luckily, I learned to drive in the North Pole so I am a better driver then everyone ever born. Cause, ya know, the further north you go, the better driver you are.

6/17/2009 4:18:44 PM

Glad you are ok, TJ. Hope the cop that showed up doesnt be a dick and write you a ticket. Shit happens.

6/17/2009 4:19:39 PM

Quote :

"auto headlamps, etc"

Why not turn the lights on every time you get in the car, even during the daytime? It's part of my car starting sequence. Ignition, Lights, Seatbelt, turn on mp3 player, disengage parking brake.

Why would you want to be less visible in any way? Surely the visibility delta is much less during the day, but it's still something.

6/17/2009 4:37:13 PM

Quote :

"Luckily, I learned to drive in the North Pole so I am a better driver then everyone ever born. Cause, ya know, the further north you go, the better driver you are."

negative. i have driven the autobahn.

6/17/2009 4:56:34 PM

I wish you could have done us all a favor and hydroplaned into a tree.

6/17/2009 11:33:32 PM

set em up

6/17/2009 11:35:19 PM