IT GETS AROUND
Got any gossip? Tip off the Taxiwallah: RIP Jennaat Khan
We've all got tales to tell about carnage on the roads when it starts to rain here. The combination of bad driving and lack of drainage means its best to stay indoors during wet weather unless you really need to travel.
On the road to Tawam on Saturday a taxi driver called Jenaat Khan was hit by an aquaplaning car. He was rushed to Tawam but died two days later from head injuries.
The skill of handling a car in wet weather isn't taught here and when it does rain many people don't know what to do. Until then, sadly, when the water levels rise so will the death toll on the roads.
On the road to Tawam on Saturday a taxi driver called Jenaat Khan was hit by an aquaplaning car. He was rushed to Tawam but died two days later from head injuries.
The skill of handling a car in wet weather isn't taught here and when it does rain many people don't know what to do. Until then, sadly, when the water levels rise so will the death toll on the roads.
Labels: car accidents, rain in al ain
posted by Al Ain Taxi at 12/05/2006 09:35:00 pm
7 Comments:
inshalla Janaat he in in jennat -- this the muslims heven. inna lihhalhi wa inna ilayhi rajioun, we from the God and to him we must all go back!
Actually first the skill of handling a car in normal weather needs to be taught... then we can think about rainy weather.
It's tragic, but whether he will, or should, go to heaven or hell is not for us to say. The death was needless. What caused the car to "aquaplane"?
Simply driving slowly and carefully in this type of weather would help quite a bit, I should think; is any specific "skill" or training required for this?
Getting An Edge On Hydroplaning/Aquaplaning
by: News Canada
There's probably no worse feeling. You're driving on a wet stretch of road and all of a sudden it feels as though your vehicle has a mind of its own. Of course, your vehicle isn't possessed; it has "caught a wave." You're hydroplaning – your tires are no longer in direct contact with the road as they are riding on top of the water that has pooled on the road.
What causes hydroplaning?
Hydroplaning can occur when a combination of speed, tire wear, tire inflation or the depth of water on the pavement causes the tires to lose traction. Essentially, a layer of water creates a barrier between the road and your tires. This barrier can cause you to lose traction and glide or hydroplane across the water's surface.
In wet weather, the tires that have been properly maintained and are in good running condition can cut through the water and maintain contact with the pavement at speeds less than 50 km/h. In cases where the tires are excessively worn (bald tires) or underinflated, or the water is very deep, you may still hydroplane at slower speeds.
At higher speeds (50 mph and higher), the wedge of water in front of the tires may pass under the tires and the tires will ride on a cushion of water – resulting in possible complete loss of traction.
Tire manufacturers are continually working to produce tires that give you an edge in wet conditions. hydroEdge™, Michelin's latest ultra-premium (mass-market) tire offers superior performance on dry or wet surfaces as well as exceptional hydroplaning resistance.
"The all-season tire hydroEdge features dual center grooves that are not exposed to the sipes or other water execution mechanisms," explains Tony Mougios, Michelin Brand Manager for Canada. "This means that these tires can evacuate water very quickly. Specially angled hydroChutes also reduce the water flow turbulence for excellent overall wet weather performance."
Along with purchasing tires that offer hydroplaning resistance such as hydroEdge, Michelin offers the following tips for preventing and/or dealing with hydroplaning.
To prevent hydroplaning:
* Check your tires and tire inflation regularly
* Reduce your speed even more when approaching still water and puddles
* Drive in the tracks of preceding vehicles
Should your vehicle hydroplane:
* Shift to neutral (on a standard transmission, depress the clutch)
* Activate the hazard lights
* Grip the steering wheel firmly and steer where you want to go
* Avoid braking or accelerating
* Check your rear view mirror
From:http://www.whatprice.co.uk/car/hydroplaning.html
Very informative (for a taxiwallah), thanks.
Another danger of hydroplaning is hitting a dry (less water build-up) section of pavement. If you suddenly lose traction and hit the gas (especially if you have your wheels cut [turned]), and then the wheels suddenly grab the road, you may angle into a direction you don't want to be in! Drive carefully!
Yeah,
Whenever it rained it always reminded me of our first snowstorm of the season. AT the intersections you see shattered tail & blinker light lenses scattered like bags of spilled candy.
Being I came from a land of snow & rain I had no problem driving in the rain.
The key is to NOT PANIC and get off of the gas and hold on. Any attempt to change your direction of travel or speed while hydroplaning can be bad.
Do the cars over there have anti-lock brakes yet? The Honda I had did not and when I got back to the states my '95 blazer had them.
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