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Time lapse of highwat crash in Iowa

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 8:04 am
by dvenman
Interesting video of a multi vehicle crash in snowy conditions in Iowa. Easily preventable...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-c ... ar-pile-up

Re: Time lapse of highwat crash in Iowa

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 8:38 am
by akirk
Interesting to watch - esp. pedestrians out on the road while lorries were still piling into the scene...
lack of observation seems to be a big issue / driving to suit distance of observation

Alasdair

Re: Time lapse of highwat crash in Iowa

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 10:40 am
by Horse


There used to be one online of the 1991 M4 crash,but reconstruction. Made using model cars, but just as horrific.

Re: Time lapse of highwat crash in Iowa

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 4:39 pm
by vanman
Just very recently I have given up the 2 second rule and kept in the clearest lane. Obviously if someone appears behind I change lanes. Works but not strictly to the rule of always going back to the inside lane.

Re: Time lapse of highwat crash in Iowa

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 7:27 pm
by fungus
IMHO, the two second rule only allows one to stop using emergency braking, and that's only if your paying attention. A three second gap allows better forward vision and more time to reactin a less evasive manner.

Nigel.

Re: Time lapse of highwat crash in Iowa

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 7:52 pm
by Triquet
Then again, if it's dumping with snow like in Iowy, 2 second / 3 second all bets are off.

Re: Time lapse of highwat crash in Iowa

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 9:14 pm
by Horse
And 2s assumes that the vehicle ahead continues traveling forward.

Good table of stopping times:
http://www.safespeed.org.uk/background.html

Re: Time lapse of highwat crash in Iowa

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 9:16 pm
by Jonquirk
In his book, Mind Driving, Stephen Haley suggests that one second for each 10mph plus one second which means an eight second gap at 70mph to allow space and hence time for a more controlled stop. Two seconds at 70 is enough to cover the reaction time but assumes that you will push the pedal through the floor in an attempt to stop. Keeping an eight second gap to he vehicle in front is quite a challenge with others dropping in to such a large space.

Re: Time lapse of highwat crash in Iowa

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 12:14 am
by RiK
Jonquirk wrote:Keeping a two-second gap to he vehicle in front is quite a challenge with others dropping in to such a large space.


Fixed that for you..

Re: Time lapse of highwat crash in Iowa

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 5:43 am
by jont-
In slippery conditions, I'm often as concerned about the ability of the car behind me to stop as in front, particularly if I'm on suitable tyres while the car behind might be on nearly bald ditch finders.