Should I ride to the mountains in an unsafe car with a 40% chance of snow?

Question

I've committed to an annual MLK ski trip with a large group of friends only to find out today that my ride is with someone who drives an Audi S4 with performance tires and no tire chains. There is currently predicted a 30% to 40% chance of snow during the drive to the destination.

For reasons that I won't explain here, this ride is my only chance to take the trip.

Due to his summer only performance tires, if there is heavy snow we will become stuck, be forced to turn back by the highway patrol, or possibly crash.

Based on my experience with this drive, there's an 80% chance that nothing will happen and everything will be fine, but there's also a 20% chance of catastrophic failure.

Would you take the chance or cancel your attendance missing a trip that is likely to be fun and letting down the friends that are counting you to be there?

Answer 1

20% chance(1 in 5 trips) of catastrophy seems to be pretty high. Most risk averse people valuing their lives would skip it or work something else out.

If you're open to freezing to death or tumbling off a mountain then go for it.

Good luck!

Answer 2

From the title, I really expected something very different. There is nothing unsafe about the car. And what is likely to happen? Well, according to you, there is an 80% that you will go, and have a fun time with your friends. And a 20% that you'll be turned back by the Highway Patrol?

Really, I just don't see "catastophic" anywhere here. If you are really worried, offer to chip in on renting the chains in the event of snow fall. Otherwise, you just need to ask yourself if you really want to go.

Answer 3

Ya know, that really sounds like a fun trip it would be a shame to miss it. 30 to 40 percent chance is not that great. Just look at the 7 day forcast for that area before you go. And be prepared by taking along a warm blanket and food and water. I know some of you guys will have a cell phone to call for help. I always keep an eye on the weather days before I plan anything.This day and time with the internet it is easy to keep track of bad weather. Hope this helps and if you go have a blast!

Answer 4

I would go if there were some things you could do (without telling your friends) to provide a safety net.

Can you take a cell phone with you, so you can call for help if needed? Is there coverage in the area you plan on traveling to?

In your luggage, could you take a set of chains and not tell anybody unless they are needed? But would the owner stick the chains on their performance tires?

Or in your luggage, you might take some snacks (don't have to be heated) in case you get stuck for a few hours.

Answer 5

If the trip is important, buy some snow chains, and use them on your friend's car if necessary.

Your message reads like you don't want to go. The car is not really "unsafe," for example; it's just not fully prepared for a heavy snow. Were the car really unsafe, then your friend wouldn't be driving it up there either.

If you want to bug out on your friends, why not be honest with them about it? They deserve the truth.

Answer 6

If you are going to go, buy some chains (or insist that the driver buys chains). It is not worth the risk otherwise.

Answer 7

if it were me i wouldn't,,you almost answered your own question there,when you said unsafe,,id rather miss the trip,than take a chance on my life,,if humans were like cats with nine lives i might consider it,,but i wouldn't chance it,,good luck hope this help.s

Answer 8

Not a chance, skip the trip!

Answer 9

No