I'm going to jump in here and second what Karl is saying, especially about
driving within the limitations of the driver AND the limitations of the
equipment.  In the Snopes article one writer talks about driving 70 mph in
heavy rain (his words, not mine) and experiencing hydroplaning. Duh!!
(Notice I didn't mention 'Correct Tires For Driving In The Rain')
BUT I do think that blaming the cruise control, especially in modern
automobiles, is BS.  I agree that the delay caused by having to disengage
the cruise could be critical to responding to a bad situation that comes up
as a surprise.  But I can't see how the cruise will be effected that much if
at all if one wheel losses traction.  The sensor for the cruise is either at
the speedometer or at the coil on modern vehicles, not at the wheel.  And
even if the pickup is at the wheel that wheel is still turning, maybe not
quite as fast as the others but still turning, nothing to make the cruise
try for violent acceleration.  I've driven many cars over the years with
cruise control (including my Vanagon) and I can't think of any conditions
that have ever caused any rapid acceleration.  Far more likely to cause
severe reaction on snow or ice is a limited slip differential, that will
make a car jump all over the place (ask me how I know).
I'll be interested in others comments on this subject especially if there is
a flaw in my logic here.

On 11/3/07, Karl Mullendore <groups@westyventures.com> wrote:
>
> True in that sure, you can lose control in slippery conditions; however
> very false in that the car can accelerate to a high rate of speed.
> Slipping/hydroplaning wheels without traction cannot provide additional
> forward acceleration. Nor can a car 'fly through the air' as one person
> put it. Well, maybe if you drive it off a  cliff. :-)
>
> Good advice though, and goes back to driving within reasonable speeds
> for the conditions present AND within your own ability, which is
> something many folks on the roads rarely do any more.
>
> Karl
>
>