Hi All,
Had a pretty serious accident in my 1999 100 Series on the Maine Turnpike the other day, and need some advice.
Was heading up to the Ski Mountains in Maine to meet some friends for a weekend of fun. Left Boston at 10:30AM with heavy rain falling, it stayed raining all the way until about 10 miles across the border into Maine where the rain turned to sleet and subsequently freezing rain. Traffic was moving and plows were out however they could not keep up with the accumulation of slush and inevitably people were using only the 2 right lanes (out of three). Went across a birdge just south of Kennebunkport and felt my rear end slip a little... knowing how bridges freeze first, I attributed the slip to that, but nonetheless slowed down to about 40mph. Because of my slower speeds I needed to move into the far right lane to allow others to pass. While attempting to move into the right lane and across the slush pile that had built in between the two lanes, my rear end came completely around 90 degrees to the right at which time it propelled me across all three lanes and into the guard rail that separated the north/south sections of the highway. I was then hit by a semi trailer across my front end and whipped across the highway again and came to rest in the far right lane. After quickly coming to my senses. I was remarkably able to start the vehicle and drove it as far into the snow bank on the right side of the breakdown lane, where I used the last of my brake fluid in the lines to stop me.
Needless to say I have thanked God for sparing my life and allowing me to make it home to my pregnant wife. The only thing that came loose in the cockpit during the crash, was the change that I keep in the ashtray for parking meters and such. The LC was absolutely perfect in protecting my life after being hit by a fully loaded semi on his way to Portland to drop off a load.
Knowing there might be numerous reasons why this accident was allowed to happen and/or if it was just a bad bit of luck with treacherous conditions (over 100 cars in Maine off the road that morning), I turn to you all for some expertise and advice, as I like to learn from my experiences.
If forum readers could please help with my questions below I would be most grateful!
Ryan Goodwin
Had a pretty serious accident in my 1999 100 Series on the Maine Turnpike the other day, and need some advice.
Was heading up to the Ski Mountains in Maine to meet some friends for a weekend of fun. Left Boston at 10:30AM with heavy rain falling, it stayed raining all the way until about 10 miles across the border into Maine where the rain turned to sleet and subsequently freezing rain. Traffic was moving and plows were out however they could not keep up with the accumulation of slush and inevitably people were using only the 2 right lanes (out of three). Went across a birdge just south of Kennebunkport and felt my rear end slip a little... knowing how bridges freeze first, I attributed the slip to that, but nonetheless slowed down to about 40mph. Because of my slower speeds I needed to move into the far right lane to allow others to pass. While attempting to move into the right lane and across the slush pile that had built in between the two lanes, my rear end came completely around 90 degrees to the right at which time it propelled me across all three lanes and into the guard rail that separated the north/south sections of the highway. I was then hit by a semi trailer across my front end and whipped across the highway again and came to rest in the far right lane. After quickly coming to my senses. I was remarkably able to start the vehicle and drove it as far into the snow bank on the right side of the breakdown lane, where I used the last of my brake fluid in the lines to stop me.
Needless to say I have thanked God for sparing my life and allowing me to make it home to my pregnant wife. The only thing that came loose in the cockpit during the crash, was the change that I keep in the ashtray for parking meters and such. The LC was absolutely perfect in protecting my life after being hit by a fully loaded semi on his way to Portland to drop off a load.
Knowing there might be numerous reasons why this accident was allowed to happen and/or if it was just a bad bit of luck with treacherous conditions (over 100 cars in Maine off the road that morning), I turn to you all for some expertise and advice, as I like to learn from my experiences.
If forum readers could please help with my questions below I would be most grateful!
- The tires on the LC were the Michelin LTX M/S. The front tires had great tread on them but the rears were able to pass inspection 2 weeks ago, there was enough tread to pass inspection but maybe should have been replaced...
- When driving in normal HI range with does more of the force come from the front or rear drive trains?
- Should the tires with less tread have been on the front?
- I grew up in Maine and since the late 1980's have never used snow tires. I have primarily owned front wheel drive cars and all season radials have usually allowed me to go freely. I have always used judgement of when to drive, but have never really had any issues.
- Do you think snow tires would have made a difference?
- Do others ever use studs?
- Are the Michens OE good/cr*p in this type of conditions?
- When reaching the icy/slushy portion of the highway, would locking the center differential have made a difference? Made things better/worse? Pros/Cons?
- Being that the LC is going to be totaled by the insurance, I will be searching to replace the '99 model I had with the optional rear lockers. Note: I have never had to use the rear lockers before and I fish quite a bit in the summer on the beach and encounter some really deep soft sand. I do reduce the pressure properly in the tires to 12 psi, while doing so. I don't even think I have ever even had to lock the center differential but have merely floated over the sand.
- Should I look to replace the '99 with another '99 with the rear lockers option? (I have secretly always liked having the option although have had no situation to require them?
- Is the 2000 with the VSC and A-TRAC a safer option?
- I know on the 80 Series, people always wanted the locking rear lockers as an option... on the 100 Series are they as useful/sought after? Thoughts?
Ryan Goodwin
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