Are the roads worse than normal this winter?

[polak]

Or is it just me?

Black ice seems to be way more prevalent and I don't think I can ever recall seeing so many cars in the ditch or in fresh fender benders every time it snows, even just a couple cm. Are the city crews doing something different that is backfiring?

It could also just be my winter tires, I'm sure the warm winter took it's toll on them last year. My commute also changed to exclusively highway driving (Deerfoot or Stony) so that could be skewing my perspective.

Is anyone else noticing this?

[Canehdianman]

Seems the same to me.

[Coach]

Seems to be better if anything for me.

[Nufy]

Same as always...

[CubicleGeek]

Christmas Eve was among the worst road conditions I've driven on in a long time. Deerfoot was like a skating rink - was white knuckling it the whole time and felt all 4 tires lose traction simultaneously several times.

Other than that it seems pretty par for the course for me.

[psicodude]

To be completely honest, I can't recall a single day this year that the roads were bad. I'm sure there are sore spots here and there, but the major routes have been great so far.

[undercoverbrother]

nope, this winter is much like last winter.

[darklord700]

I do find the roads more slippery than the amount snow fall should have caused. Probably because we have a warmer winter and the puddles turn black ice in the cooler nights.

[woob]

I agree with darklord (I agree with darklord???) about the warmer winter aspect maybe contributing to more slippery conditions. Had a blast driving today though. Lots corner drifting and getting the back end loose. When safe to do so, of course.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by woob

I agree with darklord (I agree with darklord???)

You have just earned yourself some free pot this Superbowl Sunday.

[btimbit]

Seems better than previous years to me

[CaptainCrunch]

nah the drivvers are worse though

[Locke]

I dont notice much of a difference. I think the City is doing a much better job clearing, grading and sanding this year though.

[Huntingwhale]

If anything they are better. What I have noticed is less cars with winter tires. Maybe that accounts for more slippage.

Also, people are stupid.

[Raekwon]

Driving to work down QE2, everyone is slowing down because of a tow truck in the left lane working on a car in the ditch. All of a sudden a car going the opposite direction loses it into the ditch in the same spot. Was this

A) Black Ice
B) paying attention to the tow truck no where near them and veering into the snow panicking and hitting the brakes causing them to go in the ditch.

The amount of people I see lately that aren't just bad drivers but damn near have no business being on the road blows my mind, this is Calgary all drivers license tests should include a winter driving portion, people just don't know how to react.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Agree with most, the roads seem better this year. Even this morning after snowing most of the night, roads were clear and a bit wet but that's it.

Are they using a new anti icing formula this year? I see way more of a build up of what looks like salt along the side of my car. Never noticed that before.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by polak

Or is it just me?

Black ice seems to be way more prevalent and I don't think I can ever recall seeing so many cars in the ditch or in fresh fender benders every time it snows, even just a couple cm. Are the city crews doing something different that is backfiring?

It could also just be my winter tires, I'm sure the warm winter took it's toll on them last year. My commute also changed to exclusively highway driving (Deerfoot or Stony) so that could be skewing my perspective.

Is anyone else noticing this?

The roads are definitely worse than they were six months ago, and are much slipperier.

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont notice much of a difference. I think the City is doing a much better job clearing, grading and sanding this year though.

Suck Up....

[rain_e]

IMO they are worse then past years. I've never had issues with slipping/sliding/losing traction until this year.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by polak

Or is it just me?

Black ice seems to be way more prevalent and I don't think I can ever recall seeing so many cars in the ditch or in fresh fender benders every time it snows, even just a couple cm. Are the city crews doing something different that is backfiring?

TBH, I think I've noticed less black ice, especially at intersections. IMO I think the traction issue is the slushy semi wet snow due to the warmer winter. It wraps around tires (regardless of winter/all weather etc) and is perhaps kind of like a snow hydroplaning situation?

I've also noticed the roads have a wet look rather than a dry salted look in previous years. I also feel like gravel has been barely used due to this slushy snow. I've also been wondering if this might be contributing to the difference in feel of the traction.

On a random note, I need to add air to my tires. 31 ish PSI at -5C isn't enough. Also agree with GoinAllTheWay that I've seen salt build up in ways I haven't seen before on my car.