The spinning Caprice missed the dashcam owner’s rear bumper by inches
This driver in a 1989 Chevrolet Caprice in Rancho Cordova, CA didn’t get the memo to take it easy in the rain as rear dashcam footage submitted by Redditor /u/Patski99 earlier yesterday (March 22, 2023) to the /r/IdiotsInCars subreddit shows the Caprice driver on Highway 50 going way above the speed limit, hydroplaning out of control resulting in a collisionless 180 degree spin.
Check out /u/Patski99’s remarkable dashcam footage below.
The accident happened on the El Dorado Freeway aka Highway 50, exact location of the crash linked here.
If you didn’t already know, most of California and other parts of the West Coast are once again experiencing another atmospheric river (i.e. lots of rain.)
While it’s common sense to slow it down a notch when roads are slick, you’ve always got a handful of bozos, like this guy, who do the exact opposite.
As the video shows, OP is traveling at the speed limit at 65 MPH which, for a wide open freeway where the norm is to go at least 10 MPH over, is par for Californians driving on wet roads.
That Caprice changes lane into the fast lane at least 15 MPH faster than everyone else.
The Caprice must’ve hit a wet patch because we see the Caprice bounce, lose rear traction and begin skidding out of control.
As mentioned, the Caprice does a complete 180, it’s rear so close to hitting OP’s bumper that we can read the back plate (4PBE306.)
The Caprice fortunately does not crash and lands into a ditch off the shoulder right outside a furniture store.
According to Bridgestone Tires if you ever find yourself in a hydroplaning situation,
“Don’t slam on the brakes. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and let your vehicle slow down. If you need to, and your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes, you can lightly apply the brakes to help your tires regain traction.”
“Hold the steering wheel steady. Moving the steering wheel too much one way or the other while hydroplaning could cause your car to further lose traction and spin out of control.”
Except for a pair of new underwear in that driver’s future purchase history, I presume the driver is A-OK.