Went to Dallas from la (Mobile, AL) yesterday. Actually to Richland Hills, TX. About 5 miles into the TX border (I20), creeping along about 1 MPH, noticed some clothing, shoes, towells, more clothing, junk, car parts, then an upside down red Chrysler something (could not tell what) all smashed up. They were preparing to haul it off, so don't know what happend to occupants. About 80 miles east of Dallas, it starts to snow. Hard. Starts to stick (this is about 3:30 pm). Got into the city, started north on Hwy 121, right around the I35 exit, and some guy in a white Lincoln in the far right lane started skidding a little, locks up the brakes, and ends up doing a 180. The Acura in the far left lane saw what happened and decided he needed to lock up his brakes, too. Which sent him into a skid. The Chevrolet in the lane next to me never stood a chance - the car went right into him, which sent him into my lane. Wife went nuts! God and me steered around the whole mess, never touched a thing, and the traffic behind me (including a police officer) got all jammed up. Mebbe I should have attempted to stop, but decided discretion was the better part of valor, so kept going. Saw about 40 more vehicles slamming into stuff, each other, the grass, over embankments, etc. Scared! THEN, around Hwy 114 (I think) a car coming TOWARDS me flips over and over, hits the fence (I could see the entire bottom of the car) and started toward me - I accelerated slightly, and it missed! Saw more and more - all in all we saw over 100 fender-benders and could not do anything for the traffic - bumper to bumper. Anyway - arrived at my daughters in one piece, had several drinks, then a couple more, then bathed and crashed. Worst trip I've ever hard. Temperature in mid 20s, with ice and snow everywhere. I still wonder about not stopping, but I think I would have caused more problems trying to help than I would have by just keeping on moving. Anyway, that's what I did for Christmas vacation. Now, if I can just get back home....

 

Sounds like a wicked drive. I probably would have stopped to make sure people were ok (just my nature). Some times people need help to calm down after being in a reck.
Glad you were ok.

 

yiks glad you made it ice is the worst

 

I don't understand some of the people around here (Dallas). I was driving to work last night around 9:00...heading up 190...As soon as I get on the road, I see a car all smashed up...about a mile up the road, I see a blazer that failed to keep the shiny side up.....Then a couple of more miles I got to see the aftermath of 6 car wreck....When it rains around here, people drive really slow...But when it ices over they drive really fast until they get to a bridge and then they slam on the brakes.... I know the body shops around here are going to have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...

 

I love Texas with all my heart... I was raised there and hope to return some day... but when it comes to snow... there aren't too many people on the road as dumb as a Texan. They do not deal with snow buy maybe once every 5 years (that is an exageration). I remember landing in San Antonio one year and driving from the airport to my parents house in what is now my 94 Cougar. It is a 4.6 V8 with a little umph. I remember that it had sleeted there that afternoon and by 7:00 the entire town was closed!!! Even the 24hr Walmarts!!! I has seen so many people sliding and hitting various things and I was able to cruise down the highway at 45mph safe as can be.

Point is that it is easier to adapt to conditions you see regularly rather than every umpteen years or so.

 

Glad you're all okay, but Jeez, snow in Texas??(and Al) I thought you'd all be gettin tans and bbq'in still this time of year! Wow... yeah snow sucks, know it all too well, none in Jersey yet, but that'll change real soon ( snow, or even rain and 'Vettes....uh oh!)

 

Dallas gets one of those snow or ice storms about once every year or two years. When it happens, the roads are absolute chaos.