Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

The thing about winter driving is that it's just inherently a crapshoot. Sometimes, on a nice morning commute, you hit black ice going downhill and that's that. It doesn't matter that you were going slow, you're still gonna slide and hit something.

I doubt the tech will be immune to that. So it's up to how they manage the fallout from the crashes they end up getting into.





I've been driving in January on a warm (at least in the sun) sunny day and as I went over the top of a large valley and down the other size been hit with heavy snow, same with Fog. You can't even really look at weather reports either.

Crashing after hitting black ice on a hill is a skill issue. Its like skiing, or ice skating, you still have control even though the handling is very different.

Only if you have studded winter tires that are in good condition. Throw in a sprinkling of powder and there's nothing even a professional WRC driver could do.

Another personal favorite is driving on ice with a tiny layer of sun melted water so you can also hydroplane.


I've hydroplaned on the motorway many times. It is a big scary but as long as you don't touch the brakes and continue straight you are ok.

I've driven FWD cars in heavy snow and it isn't that bad. You just have to go half the speed you normally would.


It's not really though, unless you're willing to just lie and redefine "unwilling to move at absurdly slow speed for conditions so the pavement can be meticulously inspected" as a skill issue and even then you won't always be able to spot it.

It depends on the hill. Sometimes you should just avoid the hill.

Winter tires also go a long way.


It might be able to recover from a spin with superhuman skill.



Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: