Stuck on shutdown I-75 in Georgia!

[jrmasm]

Dh was in Georgia when all that was happening. He drives an 18-wheeler and to be honest he said from what he saw it was a lot of people thinking they could just buzz on through going their regular speed then they start spinning out. He had one car come past him going too fast and then hit the brakes. The car started spinning out and there was nothing dh could do but keep driving. If he would have hit his brakes, he would have killed that guy, himself and possibly several around him. Luckily the car got itself straight before dh had to make that decision.

I live deeper in the south than that and I wouldn't have a clue how to drive on ice or in snow. But I think I would have the good sense to slow down! I see an awful lot of people that don't though.

You'd think that would be common sense. I live in the north and sadly, it's not.

 

[minkydog]

I think the biggest issue was that this weather system came in earlier than expected with more moisture than expected. Alanta rush hour is pretty horrible every day of the week, but sprinkle some sleet and freezing rain in there and you've got the perfect storm.
There were over 300 accidents in my county alone between 4pm and 7pm. I had to go out for medicine yesterday evening around 6pm and i was surprised how much ice was on the road already. Our pharmacy is about 3 miles from the house and the trip took me over an hour. If I hadn't been picking up seizure meds i would have just stayed home.

 

[DCTooTall]

Last year I got stuck in the first big snowstorm that came thru the NE. I was on my way to Atlanta from PA and got to southern DC before the snow started falling.

it took me 8hrs to get from DC to Richmond, VA along 95. Every exit along the way was shut down from cars stuck trying to exit. It was NOT fun at all....

 

[C.Ann]

Oh my! That's quite an adventure!! Glad to hear you're out of there and safe..

To everyone else in that area - or who has loved ones stuck somewhere - I hope everyone gets to their destinations safely..

Sounds like a nightmare!

 

[smb6]

Yep- we live in N GA and it was horrible last night! I was home; but several friends and family members were stuck and or in an accident...

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I am glad you made it through ok. It was a mess here last night. I was home and didn't realize how bad it had gotten until I let the dog out at 10pm for her last potty break of the day.
She slid down the back stairs, poor thing. I had to salt them so it would melt enough for her to walk back up them.

Being from MN, I just stay home when it gets bad. I used to drive in it but because others in the area don't know how to slow down and drive on ice, I was hit twice and both cars totalled in icy weather.

Funny story from when we first moved here 25 years ago: We had a block heater in our car with the plug that hangs outside of it. The first time I had to get that car worked on, the Georgia mechanic said he couldn't work on the car because he didn't know what the heater was. I had to explain it to him and then he was ok to work on the car. LOL

 

[Robinrs]

Half of my office stayed home today, most because they had so much trouble getting home last night. I have a 5 min commute and even it was a nightmare! The idiot in front of me kept braking everytime he saw ice instead of slowing down.

 

[Liberty Belle]

My daughter has been in the same spot on 75 NB .4 miles from Exit 288 for 6 hours! she just peed in a cup! I am worried sick about her.

Is she ok?

Glad you made it out okay. That happened here two weeks ago and people were stuck in their cars for 24+ hours. Have a great time!!

I will never complain about anything ever again.

 

[DarthKTrava]

I just take it slow and use the lower gears in the car to slow down so when I have to brake, I'm only doing max 10mph.

Stay safe out there in this mess! Unfortunately I have to drive in potential black ice in the morning... blech!

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I will never complain about anything ever again.

I hear ya!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Another problem is that the severe cold shrinks the air in the tires so they go flat and don't work right. I just went out yesterday to add air to our tires. I didn't realize it as it was happening but the tires which were supposed to be at 30 PSI were down in the low 20's, no leaks... it's just that the amount of air that was ok in August is not ok now. I bet people in the South never consider changing the air pressure at all.

I live in New Orleans and this week it got down below freezing a few times. My indicator light for low tire pressure came on earlier this week. I kept meaning to check the pressure and add air, but I forgot. Today it was 74 and sunny and the tire pressure indicator light turned off by itself - I never actually added any air to the tires. I'm glad my car tells me about the tire pressure; it's not something I would normally think about. (Obviously, even when it told me I forgot! )

 

[simba20]

I live in New Orleans and this week it got down below freezing a few times. My indicator light for low tire pressure came on earlier this week. I kept meaning to check the pressure and add air, but I forgot. Today it was 74 and sunny and the tire pressure indicator light turned off by itself - I never actually added any air to the tires. I'm glad my car tells me about the tire pressure; it's not something I would normally think about. (Obviously, even when it told me I forgot! )

My Tire Pressure light came on last week as well. LOL!