As we collectively thaw out from our second major ice storm in two weeks, its time to take stock and see what, if anything, we as commuters have learned.
Lets start with this. When given fair warning, and specific instructions from our government leaders we, as a huge, car-loving, metro area, can stay off the roads.
Last Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were perfect examples. The traffic volume was the lightest I have ever seen during a non-holiday morning rush hour. What did we learn? With advance notice and sufficient warning, we can leave our cars in the driveway.
Friday brought another lesson. Even when roads appear to be clear and free of snow and ice, it isn’t always so. After three days of staying off the roads, Friday brought the return of an actual morning rush hour. Things started off fairly smoothly, but by the time 6 a.m. hit, so did the traffic trouble. While most of the interstates and major secondary routes were in a lot better shape, there still remained many patches of black ice, especially on bridges, overpasses and interstate ramps. We saw numerous crashes including a horrible one on Interstate 75 northbound in Bartow County.
Something else we learned on Friday was that Atlanta drivers aren’t fully educated on how to prepare their vehicles for travel after a long snow/ice event. Once drivers hit the roads again Friday morning, not only were they dodging black ice on the roads, but snow and ice chunks flying off other cars on the road. It isn’t enough to clean just your windshield off before hitting the streets after a snow or ice storm. You must also clear off the hood, roof and trunk of your car, truck or SUV. If you still have ice or snow on your car, once you hit the roadways the left over frozen stuff can and will fly off your vehicle hitting other cars or causing at the very least a more distracting commute for the vehicles around you.
Another thing we learned: when the Department of Transportation is only treating two right lanes of the interstates, there is no charge to ride in the HOT Express Lanes. Once it was apparent that travel in the far left lanes of Interstate 85, including the HOT lane, was not going to happen, the Toll Authority turned off the toll signs along the interstate. They went dark. It was certainly interesting to see, but in the end it was a moot point since no one could drive in those lanes anyway.
And what did I learn last week? I learned that when the refrigerator at work is full, you can store a platter full of sandwiches on the balcony of WSB Radio for four full days and they’ll still be somewhat edible.
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