[ale] OT: Driving in snow...

[tfreeman at intel.digichem.net]

On Wed, 1 Dec 2004, Brian J. Dowd wrote:

> This ex-Bostonian says:
> New Englanders have inherent advantages:
> snowtires (or studs or chains)
> [on their tires not on their bodies...]
> and well sanded roads.
> Otherwise "equal abilities".
> -Brian

Point taken, although I don't think it fully explains the situation. FWIW, 
in six years of winter driving in NE, and another in Ohio, I have yet to 
purchase snow tires, or studs. A friend of mine gave me chains once, but I 
lost them the first time I used them.

As to well sanded/salted roads, the roads aren't generally prepared ahead 
of the snow, yet you don't see as much craziness at the beginning of a 
snow in the NE as you do in this region.


> 
> >On Wed, 1 Dec 2004, Geoffrey wrote:
> >
> >  
> >
> >>Jason Fritcher wrote:
> >>    
> >>
> >>>Dow Hurst wrote:
> >>>
> >>>      
> >>>
> >>>>Jason,
> >>>>Welcome to the ALE group!
> >>>>        
> >>>>
> >>>Thanks! :)
> >>>      
> >>>
> ><<snip linux and reasonable stuff>>
> >  
> >
> >>Yeah, wait till the first snow and you see on these idiots on the road. 
> >>    I've never understood that since probably 50% of Atlanta consists of 
> >>relocated Yankees, like myself.
> >>
> >>    
> >>
> >
> >I've kinda noticed that myself - although I'm up in Charlotte. "Up here" 
> >(where the heck is "Up" anyway?), I think we have similar rates of bumper 
> >cars during a good rain as Boston has for the first snow, based upon 
> >living in New England twenty odd years ago. During a snow storm, go over 
> >to a resturant on a busy corner, get something warm, and _watch_ the 
> >locals sliding through the intersection. Them as are walking, seem to fall 
> >down a lot. Great entertainment for the sadistically inclined...
> >
> >As to reasons; I've got some guesses and no idea how to test them. I do 
> >think many times the Atlanta/Charlotte/southeastern snow fall is somewhat 
> >slipryer(sp?) than many northern locations because the ground is much 
> >closer to freezing, and the snow tends to be wetter. Also, low traction 
> >driving seems to need regular practice - once or twice every year or two 
> >just isn't sufficient practice. The arrogance of "I come from the north 
> >and I understand snow driving" plays a part of it also. And finally, I 
> >suspect most drivers are in too much of a hurry to stop and think, or even 
> >to leave space ahead to stop.
> >
> >YMMV of course
> >
> >  
> >
> >
> >  
> >
> 
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