What do you think about business and gov't complicity in the commute from hell yesterday? The snow was forecast, the Post ran early articles on the mess it would be, yet:

The feds let out two hours early, perfect to have everyone on Fairfax County roads as the snow intensified

Mason cancels evening classes and sends students, faculty, and staff home at 4 pm, further gridlocking Fairfax city, 123 north and south, Braddock, et al.

Other examples?

No. You're an idiot.

To the contrary, Mason cancelling evening classes saved me having to go out into that mess.

And the Fed's 2 hour early release meant many of my Fed buddies were at home safely nestled into their couches by the time it ever started snowing. The Fed doesn't have many options when it comes to releasing workers, but I believe they are working on improving that.

WAPO article says many blame the fed release:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/27/AR2011012707435.html

Dane Bramage Wrote:
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> WAPO article says many blame the fed release:
>
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artic
> le/2011/01/27/AR2011012707435.html


The Feds let everyone go 2 hrs early. That would typically mean 3. If they did that most would have been well on their way home. But at 2 or 3 it was only raining so some decided to stay put. Add to that the private sector that did not grant liberal leave to their employees and that is what added to the fiasco. The plows could not make a difference, the pretreatment was washed away by the rain. Snow falling at 2 inches an hour. Just some of the issues that added to the chaos.

All I know, Is that somebody HIGH UP needs to get FIRED!!! Whether in Government or VDOT or both? I don't know. Some over-paid shit-head wasn't even trying 50%. Like that LOser running FEMA during Katrina. A Political Piece of Shit.

Why not blame the DMV or the driving instructors that allowed all these bad drivers to get their licenses? This is all the result of a lot of bad drivers getting together.

Amen, Ralph. Did enyone else notice that the make of the cars didn't matter, although I saw a lot of BMWs and Mercedes out there stuck and fucked. I wish DMV wouldn't be as comlicit to just hand out drivers licenses to anyone who requests one, pays the fee and takes the test.

For christsakes, if you have three DUIs, you can still have a license, unless you piss-off the judge. Start yanking licenses, VDOT!

vdot doesn't have anything to do with licensing. you're a fucking idiot.

drinking and driving is against the law, yet the dui offenders keep doing it. what good will it do to take their licenses? do you think they will choose to respect the law that prohibits driving without a license?

Guess what happens when rear wheel drive meets ice?

Spin spin spin, block intersection, traffic fail.

Ralph Pootawn Wrote:
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> Why not blame the DMV or the driving instructors
> that allowed all these bad drivers to get their
> licenses? This is all the result of a lot of bad
> drivers getting together.


Nonsense. That's a factor in Every 'winter event', so why was Everybody driving Worse this time?. If you were out in it, you would know what I'm talking about. People were driving worse because the road conditions were worse than Ever Before (except for blizzards, and this was no Blizzard). DMV is not responsible for the road conditions, VDOT IS. And they FAILED! BIG TIME! So You're argument doesn't hold water.

But you should get a medal, for your skill, you're a rare National Treasure.

and you're a fuckin idiot

You do have to factor the fed (largest employer) timing into the mess. My wife was released at 3 - worst possible timing. Even an hour earlier and she would have made it home in normal time instead of 3x time.

Ffx co didnt close early. All employees left at 430. That's an extra 12000 ppl in the mess. Wouldnt want to upset the taxpayers. Rather risk employees.

Seriously people, what did you expect? This is NOVA after all. 1" of the wet stuff and traffic comes to a screeching halt! It's not like this was a 1st around here. If you've lived here long enough, you know what to expect, and that was exactly what I expected to happen. Seen it for years.

GTFO Wrote:
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> Guess what happens when rear wheel drive meets
> ice?
>
> Spin spin spin, block intersection, traffic fail.

I did fine with RWD, but I have great tires and some weight in the truck bed.

So, 12,000 FFX county employees, 20-25K Mason students/staff, plus fed employees all hitting slick roads at once.

Let me guess, NVCC let out at 4:30 also?

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