Vehicles sliding on icy I-70 ramp in Pickerington, Ohio - December 24, 2022

Roads across the Columbus, Ohio metro area remained icy and slick into Christmas Eve morning. This was the scene as vehicles slid on the ice-covered I-70 eastbound offramp at Pickerington, Ohio. Copyright Dan Robinson.

[@AscendingBliss]

I'm actually really impressed by how almost everyone handled this.

[@ZenoFromTheElea]

@Hoosier Daddy What kind of tires do people in this area prefer? All season tires?

[@kndli67]

Im not every one of them insta locked they’re brakes that’s how you slide

[@GlobalTossPot]

@@kndli67 exactly… most of these people just slammed on the brakes which is not what you want to do

[@Lionheart-cr1fk]

@@ZenoFromTheElea yup that's why I use

[@charlesbrown4483]

@@GlobalTossPot If you live in an area where it snows a lot, you will 100% encounter this situation at least once every winter. If you don’t know how slick that spot is, you have no choice but to lock and slide out… because the other option is slowly sliding straight out into oncoming traffic. Locking up is fine if the situation calls for it and you don’t do it at too high of a speed.

[@PAWKID4LYFE]

I'm guessing all these vehicles have ABS, but it's interesting that the blue pickup seems to be pumping their brakes yet had the shortest stopping distance of all the vehicles.

[@johnmock5825]

Thats cause on ice the tires don't have as much resistance as without ice so the abs don't notice it needs to activate

[@handsome4922]

Modern Abs systems still have issues with having little or no traction to work with. Doesn't help that some drivers are awfully lead-footed with the brake pedal.

[@Yophillips3272]

Abs doesn't work properly on ice, I would argue it actually makes it worst.

[@Jfxkxdvrvr]

It’s interesting that the pickup truck reacted like physics is supposed to? What?

[@ReedTimmerWx]

You are a wizard at these videos

[@healthywealthy4620]

That sky, that weather, perfection. Anything over 30° is a waste.

[@eliecercastillo7033]

Gracias por subir ese material, vi los tres videos, muy interesantes e instructivos, para todos en general y en especial para los que conducimos camiones, thanks so much.

[@tonycannon1170]

Can we blame the city officials for knowing this was going to happen and not preparing the roads. What a shame.

[@johnmcmillion876]

At 6 below with thirty mile per hour winds..not much works

[@justinmartin8887]

The reason the abs wasn’t functioning on most of these vehicles is abs relies on wheel speed differential to operate. If the operator punched the brake pedal on a sheet of ice and all 4 wheels locked up completely, the vehicles abs control module assumed the vehicle was at a complete stop

[@sterlingw33887]

Also the slow starting speed, having all four wheels going from 4mph to 0 in an instant is a realistic scenario as opposed to them going from 40mph to 0, in which the abs would know that is impossible and intervene.

[@John-cg8hb]

ABS requires the vehicle to have traction too.

[@zas8467]

Nope, it does not work like that

[@justkiddin08]

Luckily we didn't get anything like that here in North Carolina, but it got down to 5 degrees here. Stay safe out there Dan.

[@romanticdonkey468]

We’re in Charlotte. The weather has been crazy. No snow yet, but it’s probably going to be a rough winter.

[@bandidoJNMR]

Hey UPS winter tyre ? UPS : Racing slicks

[@TheMightyCookieShow]

This happened to me a mere second before i call out and try to be safe getting home

[@timdutton2056]

Four wheel drive does NOT improve your brakes, folks. All cars have four-wheel brakes.

[@Eddi3xBac0n]

Put it in neutral as you slow down and if you can make it throw it back in drive and let it move for you. I got a 2001 Prius and never got stuck when we get out snow like once a year for a few days

[@mattkroening7964]

I feel so bad for the UPS truck driver. It seems that every single UPS truck I come across has completely bald tires, and that one is no exception. It's extremely dangerous to drive around like that, and that driver likely has no choice. The fact that it's legal for corporations to get away with endangering the lives of their employees and other drivers like that is absurd.

[@mvdiablo8202]

When the plows are sliding around it’s time to just stay inside lol

[@michellegibson248]

All the money they take in taxes, they should use some of it for salting the roads , I am a very cautious driver ...never PRAISE GOD be in an accident but I have not seen 1 salt truck or plow truck in or around Pickerington. This morning I drove into Columbus where my church is located STREET PRETTY CLEAN , I CAN SEE THE PAVEMENT..GOOD VIDEO..People drive safe

[@myemail3829]

It was so cold the salt has no effect

[@mmiller21157]

They can salt the roads all they want. But when the temperature dips below 10° fahrenheit the salt becomes ineffective. Plus what it had melted previously will then refreeze.

[@binx15]

I wonder what all those numbers and letters near that shifty thing are for🤔

[@anneboban2002]

The guy in the blue pickup with the red and white bars is holding his phone.

[@Nova-fh2et]

I don't think it was so much the icy roads as it was the roaring wind that was a contributing factor

[@montanaelkwhisperer1744]

my favorite ones are the vehicles with five thousand dollars worth of custom rims. too bad they cheaped out on the tires! 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@mattkandel2449]

And a few days later it's 50°F. God bless the Buckeye state...

[@j0ndav1s]

That jeep slide looked a lil intentional lol

[@GangGang-ef1zs]

The amount of people who slam their breaks instead of pumping them has made me lose faith entirely in humanity and driving. Every state should require extensive driving tests and schools by law. It's out of control how dangerous it is to drive because people are just plain idiots.

[@cameronr7223]

“ Icy road in Houston, 1000 car pileup, 200 deaths.”

[@MrZ00000M]

These people don't think. Why not buy special snow tires and when you need them, use them. And if you don't need it, store it in your home. Is it stinginess, stupidity, or indifference?

[@scjean7942]

The RR and the Jeep Get best marks

[@NatureHeadSupreme]

East coast usa know not to slam the breaks but pump them puppies or better yet dont do anything at all & let off the gas/steer away from impact because YOU know its slick out and your speed was already low. 😉😉

[@brianm2850]

That wind tho

[@Jfxkxdvrvr]

Imagine thinking it’s hard to drive on ice. Getting a license is too easy 🤦‍♂️

[@JacobRyanAguilar]

I would’ve been the only one to end up in the trees.

[@ckrs478]

Why don’t people have their studded winter tires on by now and this wouldn’t happen?

[@BruhJG]

Get winter tires people!!!

[@josephbennett3482]

Even winter tires will do that.

[@mmiller21157]

Winter tires don't work for ice.

[@NovejSpeed3]

Everyone who turned right "I totally meant to do that.......Hope nobody was watching!" (Sees the guy recording this) 😑

[@tylervaught7873]

Of course everybody waits until the last 30 feet to jab the brake petal

[@jackhaus5238]

Snow plows just sitting there

[@Thebirdemoji]

And do people understand that locking your wheels is bad??

[@ibrahimtouman2279]

Why don’t they use winter tyres in such weather conditions 🤔

[@mmiller21157]

Winter tires are for snow/slush. When it comes to ice they aren't much better. It's better to get a set of all season tires with an aggressive tread pattern. Which goes from left to right. Instead of tires with a ring pattern that goes all the way around them.

[@amf7580]

A perfect example why winter tires must be mandatory like most countries in europe

[@terrylee773]

Who’s gonna buy them?when most Americans with a car barely can afford to up keep them let alone have 2 to 3 different set of tires. I hear your point though

[@ctbsancho2516]

Not the Tacomas first time...

[@brimtime8117]

Can’t stand these idiots that slide and stop and then don’t move, never looking behind them. 😊

[@trellbell35]

Exactly...if you stopped successfully.. then move out of the way for others

[@111danish111]

2:36 that guy is working his steering , brake pressure and his cigarette like a champ on his 20 years old S10 !!

[@StormChasingVideo]

Another classic Dan video 🙂

[@casmatori]

Fairly decent driving by all. Most were not going too fast and controlled themselves

[@Ctb1998]

Literally they were all lucky they were going slow. Rule number one is to never lock up your wheels on ice I can count on one hand the amount of people who were pumping their breaks keeping that traction

[@michaeltutty1540]

@@Ctb1998 It should not be necessary to pump the brakes. Every vehicle in the video bar the 5 ton and up trucks is equipped with ABS. These people need winter tires and some common sense. I have driven in those conditions many times. If you notice, there is a rougher area to the left and right of the main traffic lanes. Get two wheels into that and you gain some grip. None of my cars have had ABS, and I have never had an issue.

[@KB-nt7eg]

@@Ctb1998 they were lucky they were driving slow? They were lucky that they drove slow because they know not to drive fast? They were lucky they did what they wanted to do? I'll bet you're lucky every morning when you successfully tie your shoes.

[@JonosBtheMC]

@@michaeltutty1540 Except it is. ABS isn't effective on snow or ice. Ask anyone who's ever driven in it. Or, look at the video evidence presented here. When all four wheels are locked the ABS is happy because it only notices DIFFERENCES in wheel speeds. Of course you've never had a problem, you've never had a car with that system fitted!

[@MrZrazies]

Really? Lol

[@Devinduhdood]

Your videos of weather and driving have both been quality for many years now. Keep it up.

[@stormhighwaycom]

Thank you everyone for your continued viewership! Here is a response to some of the questions you've asked in the comments: 1.) Don't these vehicles have ABS? Why are vehicles with ABS (antilock brakes) still locking and sliding their wheels? Most, if not all, of the vehicles in this video have ABS. Safety features like ABS and ESC still need *some* meaningful friction between the tires and the road surface to be effective. On icy roads, there is often not enough friction available for these features to do their jobs well. It is common for all 4 wheels to lock under moderate braking in these conditions, and this causes the car's ABS computer to "think" that the car is stopped - it has no other way of detecting that the car is still in motion. This is why slowing down during these conditions is so important - even slow speeds can be too fast for your vehicle's safety systems to help you maintain control when the roads are this bad. 2.) Why don't I do something to warn drivers? As always, this is really a perplexing accusation. I'm assuming those that ask this don't have any experience with winter storms and think that this is the only icy spot for miles around? During winter storms such as this one, roads are icy across *entire states*. You can read news reports of how bad this storm was for Columbus and how the road crews were having trouble keeping things plowed and treated. You can clearly see in the video that roads were snow-covered *everywhere*. There were thousands of icy spots like this all over the metro area: at nearly every intersection, highway offramp, and countless spots on the main roads and interstates. The authorities were well aware, and the crews were out doing what they could. As I do with all winter storms I cover, I just picked one spot to set up and film where I could safely park with a good view and be close to my car (it was in the single digits with winds gusting in the 20mph range -in other words, brutal!). Those of you asking that question of me, if the above wasn't enough of an answer for you, I want you to find a police officer, firefighter, EMT or anyone who works highway incidents during winter storms. Please ask them what they think of your idea of civilians standing on the side of icy highways and ramps waving down drivers, putting up signs and/or to trying to spread salt or sand. They will give you the "are you insane?" look and tell you about how their big vehicles with bright flashing lights are hit all the time in these conditions. I have actually tried warning drivers on several occasions in the past (you can even see one example during the January 24, 2014 Texas freezing rain icy bridge event, that video is on this channel) and the only way people paid any attention to me was if I *stood directly in front of them on the road*. Police told me to never do that again. Just last year near where I live, a driver trying to warn vehicles of an icy bridge in Collinsville, Illinois was killed by another out-of-control car. If you are one of these who expect me to do this civilian roadside warning and you *do* get winter storms where you live, then please tell me why you don't do this yourself? Surely if you feel this should be done, you're out during every storm with a pickup truck full of salt, a trailer with handmade wooden signs and tools to drive the posts into the ground. Finally, I'm the owner and author of the most comprehensive winter driving safety site on the internet at icyroadsafety.com. That is my best effort to help educate and warn the driving public about icy roads with everything I've learned in 19 years of covering this hazard. Anyone who reads my site and takes its information to heart and into practice should never find themselves in the situations you see in my videos. You can help me in that goal by sharing the link. It is a non-profit effort, and you'll help drivers avoid icy road accidents by directing them to the site. That's a much more effective prevention method than you or I putting our lives on the line standing along icy roads in futile attempts to warn drivers as civilians. If you still disagree, please send me suggestions from any professionals you talk to on how a civilian can warn drivers during winter storms. I'm open to hearing and implementing anything that is safe, reasonable and effective. I may even do a video on this subject in the future - if you are in one of the fields mentioned (police, firefighter, EMT) I'd love to talk with you about it. Thanks again to all for watching and subscribing! Your support and viewership are the main reasons I am able to continue this whole operation.

[@biblesaurus6862]

You should pin this comment

[@AmericanAristo]

@@biblesaurus6862 agreed

[@sirrenn1936]

TY, I have no respect for 'in a rush drivers' driving on cold frozen icy roads, they make me nervous...

[@lapoose325]

subscribed. you rock.

[@JT-SE-OHIO]

The drivers and computers handed the ice quite well. Ohio weather is so unpredictable. This was probably during the several days that the temps were at -3 degrees and here a week later it was 67 degrees. I saw a white mustang convertible with the top today Jan. the 2nd. Everyone says if you don't like our weather just wait a few days. Thanks for withstanding the cold to video this for us.

[@Snufkin812]

Watching cars slide on icy hill roads is a great winter pastime! It is necessary to sprinkle sand on the road. Salt makes the underside of your car rust.

[@somebody7893]

Or get proper tyres

[@phillippinson5333]

Sand gets blown off just like snow.Salt doesn't work below 20 fahrenheit.This is all caused by self absorbed idiots who only care about themselves.....Punish fools or expect more.The End

[@zekeyeager1458]

@@somebody7893not everyone can afford em, mate! Wouldn’t ya know that? 😅

[@youcansave15ormoreoncarins75]

@@zekeyeager1458 you can buy chains as well, that is if you are doing light traveling and using artery roads

[@sirrenn1936]

Do people understand the concept of stopping way before you get to the stop sign??!!!

[@shamansean7593]

No.

[@11Christys11]

This is not a stop sign it’s a ramp onto the freeway and there was no stopping….it was ALL ice. Scary!

[@jdboy9]

On ramp to highway just a yield situation.

[@GORILLAZ41]

The concept you should be talking about is tapping brakes. Stopping has nothing to do with this situation. Understanding how to control cars in icy conditions is the concept. Stir opposite of slide and tap brakes. So sad that I knew this as a 16 year old and everyone driving for 20+ years doesn't.

[@isomatic]

This is OHIO. So that's a resounding oh my, NO. I am not joking. Most of the year's weekdays I ride my bike around Columbus and have been hit multiple times before by drivers who don't stop at the stop sign. Every day I bike I'm at least almost hit. Hardly anyone here stops or slows down before the sign. I've even had one guy yell at me for crossing the street when he didnt stop at the sign. It's so maddening.

[@vandellia9826]

They ain't salting any of the roads. Suspicious stuff.

[@jessieharbinjr.6589]

Never apply your brakes when you slide on ice. Pump them, even if you have antilock brakes. I know it sounds counterintuitive but I drive all over Michigan and Canada in the winter. The instant you slam on the brakes, your car turns into a giant sled. You want your wheels rolling so you can avoid a collision, or sliding off the road.

[@johnmock5825]

People don't realize abs don't do it job efficiently if at all on ice cause the resistance as much as without ice same can happen on wet roads too

[@Ityxss]

Apply your brakes slowly if you have ABS, you can pump if you don't have ABS

[@timdutton2056]

You shouldn't pump antilock brakes. They do that automatically.

[@bread-gz3rl]

2:10 front driverside tire seems kinda flat

[@MisterTwister88]

Helpful in this situation

[@yanni2112]

1:47 Winter Tires

[@pr-jj6nc]

This is ohio. Please buy winter tires guys!

[@ConnorGibbsAK]

That Red Highlander at 3:18 actually did it perfectly! When you’re skidding on ice, the last thing you went to do is slam the brakes if you need to avoid something in front of you. Notice how he was able to go left around the car in front? That’s because he took his foot off the brake right before it! Instinctually our reaction to this would be to hit the brakes but really you should take your foot off the brake for a second to turn.

[@davevolz6138]

Well done!

[@ThatOneDudeNick]

These kinds of videos are my favorite thing about winter. I could watch this all day. I used to love sitting at the bottom of the big icy hill in my neighborhood back in Maryland and watch people try to make it up. I don't get to see it in person anymore after moving to the desert.

[@valereberlage617]

Lot of experienced drivers here!

[@MSNYdude]

You can really tell who has experience driving in these conditions and who doesn’t😂

[@lorenzomoore6398]

Kudos to those who went into the snow.

[@kclm7]

Should be called “People learning the difference between All season and winter tires, the hard way”

[@jameslovitt994]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Dan, thanks for the videos.

[@bryanberg8132]

That Jeep @ 2:20 wins the recovery award.

[@JonosBtheMC]

People commenting seem to think ABS should prevent this (!), so let me explain... ABS attempts to stop skidding by sensing DIFFERENCES in wheel speeds. If all 4 wheels are locked, there is no difference between them; ABS has done its job. For braking or steering to occur at this point, the wheels must first be allowed to rotate. You must release the brakes and re-apply them.

[@jcmartinez7527]

If your wheels lock up, you'll feel it. Locked-up tires just slide. Better to let off the brakes just enough to have the tires rolling a bit.

[@tiffanycurtis4794]

This scares me because 8 years ago we had a snow storm in Indiana and some fool as I was stopped plowed into the back of me my car so hard it flipped over I was in the hospital for a week so please be careful everyone Drive safely if you have to drive it’s not worth it

[@HarrisonPeloso]

They all trying to Deja Vu but it’s not really working.

[@trenille1]

At 3:20 I always wanted to see how off-road tires on trucks would react on ice 😊

[@ThatBaggedWK2]

Believe it or not I think those are what come stock on that package lmao

[@cwnicholas5333]

Mud tires aren't designed for snow.. they're designed for mud

[@pizzasteakphocheeseburgeri2965]

Do you have predetermined sweet spots and pick a random spot on a snowy day? This is brilliant

[@law7116]

You must slow 3 times as early as usual and you must pump the brakes but not in an overly aggressive manor. If all else fails engage ebrake for a sec and use it to angle your vehicle and slide right around the traffic lol.

[@glennkullberg9370]

We just never gets tired of watching cars with summer tires on (quite normal) winter roads, do we? If these cars had real dedicated winter tires (the "nordic" type), there would not be so many of these videos. Yes I have tried to drive on winter roads with summer tires, just to test it. Yes it looked like this video. These days I drive on winter roads like in this video (snow and ice). No its nothing like in this video. Its not a big problem really. It's all about the tires.

[@drivewithanam]

Not bad actually. I expected worse. I was out driving that day for 7 hours. Got some POV footage of sliding and counter-steering for educational purposes. It was fun, not gonna lie. I can't wait to drive out in these conditions. Stay safe out there!

[@brettcannon74]

Took this off ramp onto 256 for nearly 30 years, glad I live in Texas now!

[@amunford1]

Only one impact! Those folks surely know how to effectively manage locked up wheels on ice!🎉

[@MowBros7240]

Good driving by all but I live near here and we just should not have been on the road We were hauling field corn during this

[@CaliAmg]

Down shift and prepare way before the last moment. California drivers are the worst in snow ❄️

[@ラッセル9728]

Are there tires made specifically for these conditions?

[@Suh_lp]

Crazy half these cars Don't have abs lol

[@shauntakata1762]

Letting go of the brake would allow them to steer out of the way

[@jamesps7515]

Don’t people know you lose steering when you lock them up? I mean common sense people.

[@georgiasmith64]

Aim for the grass/gravel on the side for traction.

[@289cobra9]

Trying pumping the break's or learn about ABS.

[@La-eh4jk]

The ups one was my favorite. Caring for my package.

[@budbundy5021]

You should've had the theme song from Benny Hill playing while this video was playing

[@JasonSpitzMI50]

On a boring snowy icy day this would be a good thing to do is park somewhere and film people driving too fast. These videos will make good instructional videos to teach drivers to slow down to about 5 mph under these conditions.

[@journeymanvlog8613]

Merry Christmas 🎄 😅

[@lt1caprice57l]

Aren't modern vehicles supposed to have ABS? I guess we now know how well that works on most of them.

[@DONUT2858]

Your tires have to have traction for ABS to work

[@sharpshooter012345]

Good job by the drivers who were able to avoid a collison.

[@WeTheNorthRaptors]

This city probably dont have enough budget for winter road conditions, in my city(edmonton,alberta). The city makes sure to sand and plow the roads in winter

[@yatinpatil2373]

The best way to stop in this situation is frequently pressing and releasing the brake pedals. It works better than sliding

[@mikeobryant7274]

That does not work with antilock brakes, constant brake pressure

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

All of these cars have ABS. Ice is ice.

[@audioostrich]

Not if you have abs - you should put your foot down and let the system work. I don't know about you but I'm not as good as compensating for locked and sliding tires as the computer designed for doing so is

[@mattbarker1411]

@@audioostrich lol you're gonna get someone killed.

[@TerrellSpivey]

Question...do you literally sit there and watch cars get into accidents without flagging em?

[@LaughingKarrot]

Y r they going so fast down a icy hill

[@overlandbyday1130]

Wow, that ABS really working……….

[@NissanAltimaGuy]

If you see you’re about to plow someone at least give them a heads up by honking lol. Maybe they can somehow maneuver over to prevent a whole accident 🤷🏻‍♂️ idk just a thought

[@Razgriz0ne]

Swag like Ohio

[@akradr]

I had to wait to watch all the way till the end to finally see a Subaru, and it was leading the way for that salt truck, lol.

[@xmann610]

I thought (ABS) was to keep your tires from locking up and sliding. All the newer cars were sliding with the tires locked up, (ABS) what a joke.

[@StigLeivo]

ABS and ESP works very well, until the person starts to panic and locks all the four brakes. Car thinks it has stopped. User fault.

[@c117ls7]

It amazes me how fast some ppl approached and how late they hit the brakes

[@riv5438]

Most of these cars appear to barely have ABS functioning lol

[@seymoarsalvage]

Snow build up blocks the Hall Effect sensors.

[@MissValdostaFeedAndGrain]

Interesting. All of the Northern/Midwest/Upper Midwest transplants to my part of the South ALWAYS rave about how they can DRIVE IN ANY KIND OF WINTER WEATHER and Southerners are slack jawed morons who can’t. Well, this sums up my thoughts on that topic.

[@01blaval]

Winter tires anyone….??? Hallo…??? WINTER TIRES! ……It’s W I N T E R❄️🧊❄️🧊❄️ Just a tip from Sweden❄️😊👍🏼

[@timnewcomb8987]

what did we learn from this? It doesn't matter if your in a $5,000 or a $100,000 car, if you have four-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive or front wheel drive. On ice you have got to be careful and slow down. Mother Nature doesn't care what you own

[@cardcasacardona8050]

Neumáticos de invierno, no frenar y mantenimiento de carreteras( sal grava fina), sentido comun...cosas que no existen en EEUU y sobretodo trenes y transporte público adaptado.