It's finally Spring in the Frozen North!
We Wisconsinites have had winter driving pounded into our brains from the time we were old enough to see over the dashboard. We know how to steer out of a skid, we know about stopping distances, we know the difference between black ice and ice of other colors. In fact, my older children who have moved away (and back) have noticed that drivers in the other regions of the United States have no clue how to drive in the winter. On Wisconsin!
Apparently, we don't do as well driving the other three seasons. Maybe we're lulled into a false sense of security by the lack of ice and snow. Maybe people in Arizona, California and Florida are laughing about Wisconsin drivers that can't handle driving in sunny weather.
In the few days of spring weather that we've had so far, I've noticed a lot more accidents than I saw all winter. Given that we know how to handle inclement weather, the top three fair-weather springtime driving hazards are as follows:
- Psychotic Wildlife
- Motorcyclists
- Potholes
Let's break this down.
Psychotic Wildlife: As you cruise Wisconsin's highways and byways, you don't have to drive more than, say, a foot and a half before you find some sort of road kill. Mother Nature's little darlings are bonkers this time of year:
- They have been cooped up in their lairs with out flat screen and they have got to get out!
- They are completely out of nuts, berries and porkrinds and they have got to get out!
- They haven't enjoyed the companionship of the opposite gender for a long time and they have got to get out!
...Plus I think deer play chicken with minivans as part of drunken deer frat initiation.
When driving in spring keep a sharp eye out for Bambi, Thumper, Flower and all the rest. Keep in mind, herd animals travel in herds. If you see one, there are probably a few more in the bushes pointing and laughing.
Motorcyclists: Humans have got to get out. Largely for the same reasons as the psychotic wildlife. However, there is a
HUGE difference. Nearly every motorcylcist I have ever met is
extremely safety conscious (helmet debate aside). For nearly every motorcyclist I know that has been in an accident (which is nearly all of them), the car-driver has been at fault. Nearly every car driver has said, "I didn't even see him there!" Really, how much Day-Glo and reflective tape does it take? Please watch for motorcycles....And bicycles, please!
Potholes: In spite of the Highway Department's constant vigilance, and constant construction and repair throughout the week and a half of non-winter, I've seen potholes large enough for a family of Havasupai Indians to feel right at home.
Hitting potholes
will damage your car. Maybe instantly and obviously in the case of flat tire or pinched rim. Maybe cumulatively in the case of suspension or alignment damage.
If (when) you hit a pothole, check your tires and rims as soon as you can. Then, pay attention to how your car is behaving. Is it rolling or swaying around corners? Is it pulling to one side? Is it braking in a stright line or is it staggering around? Is the nose diving when you brake? Is it squatting in the back when you take off? Told you so. Spend a modest amount on adjustments and repairs now to save you a huge repair bill later.
Please get out and enjoy this beautiful season, but please, be careful out there. Keep your eyes open for this triple threat of Wisconsin Spring Driving.
