MytMini
Jan 16th, 04, 05:52 PM
I received this at work as our monthly safety tip. It doesn't make sense to me, but I thought I'd ask the pros!
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Cruise Control in the Rain?
A 36-year-old female had an accident several weeks ago and totaled her car.
It was raining, though not excessively, when her car suddenly began to hydroplane and literally flew through the air.
She was not seriously injured but very stunned at the sudden occurrence! When she explained to the highway patrolman what had happened he told her something that every driver should know: Never Drive in the Rain with Your Cruise Control On.
She had thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe consistent speed in the rain. But the highway patrolman told her that if the cruise control is on and your car begins to hydroplane—when your tires lose contact with the pavement—your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed and you take off like an airplane. She told the patrolman that was exactly what had occurred. We all know you have little or no control over a car when it begins to hydroplane. The highway patrol estimated her car was actually traveling through the air at 10 to 15 miles per hour faster than the speed set on the cruise control.
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OK... I can see the drive wheels quickly accelerating when they lose traction, but accelerating the car 10-15mph faster??? When they are not in contact with the road??? That part just doesn't add up in my mind. Maybe my Physics 101 is out of date...
==========
Cruise Control in the Rain?
A 36-year-old female had an accident several weeks ago and totaled her car.
It was raining, though not excessively, when her car suddenly began to hydroplane and literally flew through the air.
She was not seriously injured but very stunned at the sudden occurrence! When she explained to the highway patrolman what had happened he told her something that every driver should know: Never Drive in the Rain with Your Cruise Control On.
She had thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe consistent speed in the rain. But the highway patrolman told her that if the cruise control is on and your car begins to hydroplane—when your tires lose contact with the pavement—your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed and you take off like an airplane. She told the patrolman that was exactly what had occurred. We all know you have little or no control over a car when it begins to hydroplane. The highway patrol estimated her car was actually traveling through the air at 10 to 15 miles per hour faster than the speed set on the cruise control.
==========
OK... I can see the drive wheels quickly accelerating when they lose traction, but accelerating the car 10-15mph faster??? When they are not in contact with the road??? That part just doesn't add up in my mind. Maybe my Physics 101 is out of date...