Is driving during the winter a huge hassle? (Reno, Carson City: live, safer)

[RichMan9000]

I've lived in San Diego my entire life so I don't know anything about driving in snowy conditions. Do most people drive without tire chains during the winter, or do most people actually put chains on their wheels?

Do traffic accidents increase dramatically, or are people usually safer drivers during these conditions?

[NevadaRE]

In Reno people do not put on chains. We just have mud and snow tires. Many people prefer AWD/4WD vehicles. Rear wheel drive is the most difficult.

Higher elevation roads are different. Chains may be required to travel west over the mountains (4 wheel drive vehicles are usually exempt). If chains are required to travel west, that is weather you don't want to travel in if you don't have to. This would be a concern if you plan to travel to California or Tahoe a lot in the winter.

Accidents do increase and when I travel to Carson City during heavy snow I often see abandoned vehicles on the side of the road.

In town you will want to drive much slower and allow extra time to travel during snowy weather.

Often when we get a lot of snow in Reno it melts in the afternoon.

[braindead0]

IMO people here drive pretty well during inclement weather (rain/snow/wind). Some people own a set of studded snow tires and run those during the winter, often lightweight pickups. I've rarely had to put my jeep into 4wd due to snow, and generally when I do it's mostly just because I can and not because I couldn't manage without.

The only vehicles you typically see with chains on around town seem to be postal.

[Mia775]

I just don't drive when it's bad outside. You might be able to control your car but that person next to you might not, even with an AWD or 4WD.

[RichMan9000]

Thanks for the input, I have a couple more questions. Does it snow heavily every year in Reno?

And let's say when it does snow to the point where it's not wise to drive, how long do these snow storms usually last?

[Mia775]

Originally Posted by RichMan9000

Thanks for the input, I have a couple more questions. Does it snow heavily every year in Reno?

And let's say when it does snow to the point where it's not wise to drive, how long do these snow storms usually last?

Hard to tell, whether or not you believe in climate change the Reno or shall we say Northern Nevada weather has always been strange. Prior to this year's snow fall, the last major one was probably end of 2009, early 2010? (Checkout Throwdown with Bobby Flay Reno episode )

I don't own a 4x4 and my car only got stuck once and not on the road but in a parking lot that wasn't plowed. For the most part, as long as you don't live way out of plowing areas, you will be fine.

The snow storms don't really last very long and it could be snowing and the evening and clear the next day or vice versa...

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by Mia775

I just don't drive when it's bad outside. You might be able to control your car but that person next to you might not, even with an AWD or 4WD.

Sounds like California drivers. They drive faster when it rains then the CHP gets over 500 calls a day for service because of all the wrecks

[Mia775]

Originally Posted by nowhereman427

Sounds like California drivers. They drive faster when it rains then the CHP gets over 500 calls a day for service because of all the wrecks

Could be. There are a lot of them moving over and thinking that trading up to a 4x4 is the solution

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by Mia775

Could be. There are a lot of them moving over and thinking that trading up to a 4x4 is the solution