I love the guy on the other side of the bus... "hmm, a bus is currently drifting towards me. Reverse, watch the show."... can imagine the bus driver trying to calm down his passengers "don't worry guys, I do this every day"
I've been up that road to the remarks. The driver did a good job keeping the bus out of the drain, and did well keeping it on the track. All the NZski bus drivers are really expirienced.
Holy crap ! I drove a motorhome up to that ski-field back in 1996,they had no barriers up then and i nearly shit myself, it was so slippery and white out conditions halfway up, i couldn't turn around to go back down so had to keep going and it was a only rear wheel drive camper. We had trouble walking in the carpark it was so icy. Luckily the sun came out in the afternoon and took the hard ice off the surface.New Zealand is mega dangerous.
That was surprising, since I would have guessed that a ski resort would have every kind of traction-enhancing technology available mounted on buses which carried folks up & down such an icy road, such as chains, which have been around a while, and sand-dispensing systems, which are used of buses in the Midwest portion of the USA. What gives?
these alpine drivers are good man. i was once on a bus coming down from MT HUTT Methven NZ (i am a NZer) it was an old 4x4 bedford in whiteout and we slid about hafway down driver ended up putting it into the mountainside to stop it goin off the edge (no guardrails like the remarkables)
That's why there is a snowchain rule in Germany and Austria for buses and trucks in certain areas. And this was most likely a situation for snowchains at least.
Marquelspeedy I don't understand, I live in NZ and know that road fairly well, there are areas designated for buses to attach chains without blocking the road.
I had no idea they made four wheel drive buses. Because of the wheelbase it sounds like an engineering nightmare to run the drive train from the rear engine to the front axles. On another topic, I have to admire the quick thinking of the approaching truck who you can see backs down the hill as far and fast as possible until he meets up with traffic. Good foresight on his/her part.
Similar to the road towards Planpincieux, Courmayeur, Italy. I used to take skiers up there with a 2 wheel drive four gear AUTOMATIC bus. hellish thing to manage when coming down. We were confident in some fifty meters slides, just when first gear passed into second.you should have kept cool blood, while people screamed and became pale white faced.not to mention the wind blowing towards us snow when avalanches happened. Last mile was a nightmare, six elbow shaped curves, just over a rocky abyss
I drove city bus for many years, one day a lady asked what was the quickest way to get to the hospital - I responded, just step in front of my bus madam.
1984 west vail,chaminox st tov bus drifting sideways to 4 way stop at texico station. Driver straightened it out got bus stopped right at sign. Passengers all cheered and shouted. Took almost 10 minutes to calm down
I actually saw this happen when we were coming back from a day of skiing at Monarch in Colorado. Bus went jackknife and started sweeping cars with it down the hill. Was quite a sight.
It was probably too late to get the chains on, I think you have to drive onto them (no easy-fit ones for buses). Also they might not even be a one-man job. In any event, no fun to do, the drivers certainly seem to resist as long as possible, and then a bit longer...
I know that road intimately, it includes unfenced dropoffs of over 500 meters. The driver is an irresponsible dickhead for not putting chains on and frankly should be sacked. Could have caused death or injury to himself, people on the bus and other road users....
You know, in Europe we have studded tyres... a LOT safer than chains and more practical, too But in many parts of the world they are forbidden... go figure...
and he's an idiot for not just letting the bus slide against the mountainside and then staying there until help arrived. He had that chance after the truck got out of his path. We have no idea how that turned out, do we?
This was the winner of the annual New Zealand Bus drifting competition. Last year's winner retired due to a slight increase in blood pressure, and urine loss.
obviously the bus driver was enjoying the weather where he can proof hes driving skills.... nicely driven! its a shame there was incoming vehicles. yeah right, that was dangerous, but still great job...MAAD drivers in this world :D
A) won't lock the steering but will eliminate power steering bad idea in a heavy vehicle. B) 2 axle buses can go up to 13 tonne C) no assist on hydraulic brakes and on air brakes once the pressure drops below 60 psi your maxis will come on locking the rear brakes on full. D) you use your engine to help slow down when driving a heavy vehicle saves your brakes from over heating
man now thats what i call skills. controlled skid thru tight cornering. good job by the driver in front of the bus to reverse his way out of the way. cool song too....i dig it. now thats how church should be instead of that guilty feeling they make you feel....lol. HEY LAWD HEY NOW!!!!
@mariomeraviglioso All standard buses have 6 tyres, this is a two wheel drive ordinary 53 seater. To have 4 wheel drive it would have to have either a double rear axle or an exceptionally long prop shaft to the front axle.
Idk if its just the camera on a angle but perhaps they should grade the road so its actually level... the tail slides to the left following what looks like a slope in the road.
This old histroric church music mixed with a old New Orleans Mansion that sits along the edge of the Bayou with lighted candles as the only means of light on the inside with just you living inside the house and your nearest neighbors a half mile away = scary
@MrEurocat We can, that's why we love going to tropical places, plus it's cheaper buying stuff there too. Well, as soon theres a little bit snow on the road in other countries apart from the Scandinavian countries and Iceland, people gets trouble while on the road. Aren't studded winter tires allowed in other countries? They provide alot more grip to snow and ice, and you also have the non-studded winter tyres wich is good on snow.
I won't say where I'm from, but our New Flyers are some beast in the snow. I be beating cars off the line like they stole something. They never catch up and they out brake cars too. BTW very appropriate sound track. Still, thank God for the mute button.
Physics are absolutely in play, my friend. Putting it in low gear and letting off the brakes allows all the wheels to roll. Once the wheels start to roll, the vehicle will immediately straighten up. You then rely on the engine to hold your speed down. every single time you apply braking you should expect it to skid uncontrollably. When engine resistance is not enough to hold you down to the desired speed you should then brake in firm short increments. Brake and release, brake and release, repea
This is the exact place where it happened. See if you still think a good driver could actually control the bus down that "hillside" without flipping. www.google.com.au/maps/@-45.0387451,168.8016832,3a,75y,339.84h,74.13t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s35OxSpRBgpeq1FfhrjkNtg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e4?hl=en
Yes if the bus was fitted with winter tyres or chains it would have been fine, but in typical kiwi fashion the sensible appraoch isn't the one taken. I can't understand why anyone living in the deep south doesn't fit winter tyres, they work significantly better than summer tyres in temps below 10 degrees.
