One of the most popular radio stations in the DC area is WTOP, which has an all news format. Part of its appeal, of course, is that most DC residents are boring people who get their rocks off on a constant flow of news. But another big source of WTOP's popularity is that it does traffic reports every ten minutes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That may not be a feature that would excite the residents of, say, Boise, Idaho, but it IS important to those of us who have to drive in DC traffic.

The station is so popular that in the Arbitron ratings, WTOP's morning news team of Richard Day and Mike Moss often rival New York shock jock Howard Stern. Now these are two guys that definitely know what's going on in the world.

And any time some major weather event occurs, they're right on top of it. In fact, any time there are power outages that leave numerous intersections with darkened traffic signals, the station's traffic reporters are quick to admonish us to "treat those intersections as four way stops." And if heavy rains flood low lying roads, they're the first to tell us not drive through such areas "because you never know how deep the water is." Sensible advice, indeed, and certainly words that the station's top on-air guys would live by. Right?

Well, um.....

Last night DC was hit with heavy rains and warm temperatures. That's not a particularly good combination when you also have a substantial amount of snow on the ground. Consequently, many roads flooded, resulting in a number of rescues of motorists (no fatalities or injuries, but a lot of bruised egos). And this news was faithfully reported this morning by the team of Moss and... er..., Moss. Wait! Where's Richard Day? How come he's not at work today?

Well, it seems he tried to drive his car through three feet of water. Apparently, Mini Coopers don't handle that sort of thing very well.

Maybe he was busy listening to an adult contemporary station at the time.