Southern California - PSA: Drive safely

Just driving from Pasadena to Northridge and back this evening, we drove by 8 accidents and one stalled car, and almost became a statistic ourselves a couple of times.

Remember: Any change in speed or direction loses traction. Hitting your brakes AFTER you splash into a big puddle and start hydroplaning is TOO LATE! Just hold the wheel and stay off the pedals. Don't drive faster than you're capable of handling, and leave room to react to those who are driving too fast.

Be safe and I'll see you on future rides!

You're preaching to the converted here, Brian, but thanks for the tips! :) I agree wholeheartedly. As silly as it may seem, heavy rain out here creates very hazardous conditions.

or just drive a 4x4....

or just drive a 4x4....
At least 3 of the crashed vehicles were AWD or 4WD (2 SUVs, 1 Imprezza)

There are rocks all over the road on Old Topanga Canyon. Ugh. I doubt Latigo and Piuma are holding up to this very well. Careful on any canyon roads for the next week or two.

or just bike it :)

Yeah, it's a bit dangerous - but apparently it's even more dangerous being in the car than on a bike, from my experience.

At least 3 of the crashed vehicles were AWD or 4WD (2 SUVs, 1 Imprezza)
people who crash awd cars in the rain must be incredibly bad drivers. and 4wd means nothing because most people don't drive with it on in the rain.

people who crash awd cars in the rain must be incredibly bad drivers. and 4wd means nothing because most people don't drive with it on in the rain.
True. It's a combination. They don't know what they're doing, and they're overconfident becasue they have AWD.

I recommend that anyone who wants to know what they're doing in extreme circumstances take an autocross session or that class in Oxnard.

At least 3 of the crashed vehicles were AWD or 4WD (2 SUVs, 1 Imprezza)

the things that awd/4wd drivers tend to forget are:
a) their tires still have a traction limit, and while they may have 4 drive wheels, they can still break one or more loose and have control problems (traction control mitigates this in some vehicles).
b) all cars have 4 wheel braking, and braking is still dominated by the front brakes (i.e. given the same tires and similar cars, a 4wd/awd will have the same braking ability. for different cars the 4wd can have worse braking.

At least 3 of the crashed vehicles were AWD or 4WD (2 SUVs, 1 Imprezza)

AWD is fun.