Slow down when it's icy: 61 car pileup in St. Paul today

[BoberFett]

This is mile from where I work, I used to drive this bridge every day.

You'd think Minnesotans would know better, especially towards the tail end of winter when you get perfect conditions for glare ice, and then more snow on top of that. You just keep hearing the slams of cars piling into each other because people are driving too fast and not watching the road ahead of them.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10101633737703716

 

[Ns1]

so what you're saying is the north doesn't know how to drive in the snow/ice afterall?

 

[BoberFett]

so what you're saying is the north doesn't know how to drive in the snow/ice afterall?

Hell no.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Folks who don't know the Twin Cities, think St. Paul is equivalent to Minneapolis to which the old addage, "if you know where you are, you're in Mpls., if you're lost, you're in St. Paul " is apropo.

 

[ImpulsE69]

what I find funny was the number of people standing between cars as cars were still piling up....all it would have taken was one good whack to send them all forward.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

We thought it was over and stopped paying attention.

Also, St. Paul. *rolleyes*

 

[rh71]

Rip m3

 

[kage69]

I too am amazed by the total lack of appropriate caution when it really sucks outside, and from vehicles sporting ID from states that have real winters no less! It really creeps me out when I see carefree people yapping away on the phone while observing maybe 2 car lengths distance behind the person they're following at 55+. Half the time I see kids in the car too. Pisses me off.

I helped out a pair of skiers 2 winters ago, who had gone off the road in a spin and couldn't make it back to the tarmac. The three of us are talking while we're digging wheels out and hooking up a tow strap, and they're amazed, just blown away that this happened to them.... while driving a lightweight RWD import with no snow tires when it had been snowing all day like a bastard, hard enough for the plow guys to struggle to keep up. I didn't really notice much of an accent, so I'm thinking these two idiots must be Floridians or something.

Me: So uh, where you guys from?

Older guy of the pair: You know Standish? Outside of Portland? (Maine)

Me: *facepalm* *dies a little inside*

 

[Ruptga]

Survivorship bias. They've never been in a sixty car pileup before, so that can't happen to them, right? They've been through rough winters before and everything was fine, so they don't need to take this one too seriously.

 

[master_shake_]

no 4-ways to signify impending doom? really?

 

[glenn1]

Folks who don't know the Twin Cities, think St. Paul is equivalent to Minneapolis to which the old addage, "if you know where you are, you're in Mpls., if you're lost, you're in St. Paul " is apropo.

If you see a retarded looking giant snowman statue beside the road you're in St Paul. If you see a retarded looking person beside the road you're in Minneapolis.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

If you see a retarded looking giant snowman statue beside the road you're in St Paul. If you see a retarded looking person beside the road you're in Minneapolis.

Wanna know how I know that came from a denizen of Pig's Eye Landing?

 

[lupi]

Those stupid ass atlan......oh wait I see what you did.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

If you see a retarded looking giant snowman statue beside the road you're in St Paul. If you see a retarded looking person beside the road you're in Minneapolis.

That's in North St. Paul.

I drive past it sometimes.

 

[KeithP]

Glad the guy spent his time taking video instead of trying to head up the road a bit and attempt to signal people slow down. Having video is way cooler.

-KeithP

 

[glenn1]

That's in North St. Paul.

I drive past it sometimes.

I stand corrected, the places out there all look alike to me I suppose. Both seemed like fine little cities during previous visits for both business and pleasure. You're all so charmingly cute and earnest as you optimistically make the case for why you're a "world class city" (citing reasons like the Mall of America and MSP airport the whole time) and too Minnesota nice to notice the amused smirk from those you're trying to convince.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I stand corrected, the places out there all look alike to me I suppose. Both seemed like fine little cities during previous visits for both business and pleasure. You're all so charmingly cute and earnest as you optimistically make the case for why you're a "world class city" (citing reasons like the Mall of America and MSP airport the whole time) and too Minnesota nice to notice the amused smirk from those you're trying to convince.

We don't believe it either, but it's nice when people from the coasts come here and spend money.

And it's even nicer when they leave.

 

[who?]

Ice and snow in Minnesota should be so cold that it doesn't have a slippery water layer on top.

 

[norseamd]

where is red green?

 

[Genx87]

Sometimes thw weather can change rather quick. In Nov 2010 I was driving in from Albertville where it was raining. By the time I got to the maple grove interchange it started freezing. Not even a mile down the road I was going about 10 mph and almost sliding off the road. I was driving through downtown on 94 and people couldnt even get up the slight incline near the tunnel. Luckily I had 4 wheel drive.

 

[purbeast0]

holy shit people are stupid.

 

[Pardus]

holy shit people are stupid.

Wow, what a bunch of bad drivers. People of earth, when the roads are icy, you need to put tire chains on your vehicle, i use GoClaws by FlexTrak, they cost me $170 for set of two and is worth every penny.

My front wheel vehicle had no problems on the ice and snow this winter, up and down hills and all over. You cant go 55mph in them but then why would you in that kind of weather.

It takes about 20 mins to put them on and off. I rather spend $170 then spend 1000's on repairs.

Check it out, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUCUC2nCc1c

 

[BoberFett]

Wow, what a bunch of bad drivers. People of earth, when the roads are icy, you need to put tire chains on your vehicle, i use GoClaws by FlexTrak, they cost me $170 for set of two and is worth every penny.

My front wheel vehicle had no problems on the ice and snow this winter, up and down hills and all over. You cant go 55mph in them but then why would you in that kind of weather.

It takes about 20 mins to put them on and off. I rather spend $170 then spend 1000's on repairs.

Check it out, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUCUC2nCc1c

I could be wrong, but last I heard I'm thought tire chains were illegal in MN.

 

[CubanlB]

Can you really blame anyone who lives in Minneapolis or St. Paul for not wanting to spend more time than needed on any of our bridges?

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=169.72

Chains are legal (I also was under the impression that they were illegal until I looked it up this year). With very few exceptions it would generally be a bad idea to use them in the cities.

Having spent a fair amount of time in the northern part of the state, I have never seen anyone use chains in the metro or otherwise. 4WD or snow tires and slowing down is usually more than enough.

I could imagine in areas with larger hills chains would be an excellent idea.

I was also out in the freezing rain in nov 2010. That was nasty. Just around 11pm all the rain started to freeze on the highways, and people who had been driving in moderate conditions were taken by surprise by glare ice on bridges and getting off the freeways.

 

[Ricky Spanish]

Idiots, speeding and tailgating like it's 80 and dry roads and one of them that hit me on a no turn on red, her excuse....she could not read the sign...:hmm:

The amount of idiots here is multiplying daily and god forbid you give yourself 3 car lengths from the car in front of you while doing 60-70mph, no that's not a invitation to shove your 5k# SUV in front of me then usually do 50 in the passing lane while eating and on the phone.

I could go on but it pisses me off just thinking of the ignorant fucks out there driving that I cannot P.I.T. into the ditch, legally.