I had a similar experience this morning trying to get to work. I am employed out in Grapevine, quite a jaunt from my little Lake Worth home, and the reports this morning were not looking good. I called my boss to let her know about the situation.
"Oh, I live out there in Saginaw and I made it at 8. The roads are fine and it's business as usual out here."
Guess that means I'm goin' to work. Ok, no sweat, right? Roads shouldn't be too bad and the sand they laid out should be enough to get me there in one piece. So I set out, ice still covering the passenger windows of my little Cavalier. I tried the windsheild wipers and found them coated with ice. My washer nozzels (which are on the wiper arms) are also frozen. Hopefully I won't need them.
Getting on the highway was a chore, and I knew it was going to be an interesting ride. The onramp to 820 was still coated with thin ice and I had to maintain control of the back of the car just as much as the front. After slip-sliding up the ramp, I settle into the grooves worn into the sand on the highway. Other drivers are zipping by me on my left, but I'm settled at about fifty-five and maintaining good control. Sand is getting thrown up by other vehicles and a thin layer of wet sand start coating my windshield. With no effective wipers and no washer fluid, I deal with it as best I can. People are riding my tail but there's nowhere to go. Changing lanes would forfiet any control I had. I can visibly see ice coating the lane dividers.
As I pass under my first overpass, I can feel the driver's side front wheel break loose and start spinning. I let off the throttle and downshift into fourth as the car starts to veer in the direction of traction. Namely, the shoulder. Using gentle inputs on the wheel and throttle I manage to retain a little control but the drivers behind me took the opportunity to blow past me horns blazing. With nowhere left to go, I put the car on the should and closed the throttle entirely. The car eventually slid to a gentle stop.
I'm young and dumb, and ice driving ain't for me. Called in to work anyway and limped the car back home.
