It鈥檚 been about three centuries since Isaac Newton compiled his three laws of motion, the basic principles of physics that describe how objects in motion tend to remain in motion until some outside force intervenes.
Nothing has really changed since Newton described how inertia works, but it appears some of us are under the impression the laws have been repealed.
And they are trying to drive in the snow, under the mistaken belief that they can tailgate, make sudden lane changes and abrupt stops in slippery conditions with no consequences.
And so we are treated to the spectacle of impatient motorists crowding other drivers who have slowed down to allow extra room for stopping.
Some seem to have the notion that driving a four-wheel drive with anti-lock brakes somehow exempts them from Newton鈥檚 three laws.
And they get away with it, too, until they don鈥檛.
Then, if they鈥檙e lucky, they end up buried in a snowdrift and waiting for a tow truck.
Less lucky physics-impaired drivers can end up smashing into other drivers who have the bad luck to be sharing the road with someone who was evidently napping through science class.
As one online writer put it, under the heading 鈥淣ewton鈥檚 First Law Of Winter Driving,鈥� 鈥淎 body at rest remains at rest and a body in motion remains in motion 鈥� until it hits another car.鈥�
So today, on the first official day of winter, courtesy of the Canada Safety Council, here are some helpful tips about winter driving.
1. Drive smoothly and slowly. Don鈥檛 make any abrupt turns or stops when driving. Because, you know, Newton.
2. Don鈥檛 tailgate. Stopping takes a lot longer on snowy and icy roads than on dry pavement.
3. Brake before making turns. Slow down before entering turns. Once you have rounded the corner, you can accelerate again.
Try to brake during a turn in slippery conditions and you could experience Newton鈥檚 First Law, the one that says a moving object will continue to move in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force. Like friction.
If there is ice and snow and next-to-no friction, don鈥檛 be surprised if your vehicle doesn鈥檛 make the turn.
Oh, and get a set of winter tires.
For a full list, visit canadasafetycouncil.org and search for 鈥渨inter driving tips.鈥�
