[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by GypsySoul22

When I feel myself panicking I think there are whole lot of old, old folks (no offense to anyone) driving around here...yes, the proverbial little old ladies..they can do it, so can I!!

I've been thinking about this. I am claustrophobic, and no amount of reassurance can make this go away. I just about clawed my way out of an MRI. I feel silly because there is really nothing to fear, but it's visceral and at least so far I can't change it.

On the other hand, winter driving doesn't frighten me. I'm careful, have excellent snow tires, and use a whole different set of techniques for driving in snowy/freezing conditions, but it doesn't overly concern me. I grew up driving in Miami Beach, so it's not like I was used to winter driving. I learned "on the job," so to speak.

I am thinking that some people may have winter driving panic, the way I have claustrophobia panic. GypsySoul, is this anything like what you're talking about? Or is it something else entirely?

BTW, thank you for adopting a homeless baby. :-)

[flu189]

Regarding winter driving issues, it looks like today will become interesting with the freezing rain and sleet mix. The eight plus inches of heavy snow promised overnight never happened up my way as we got maybe only three, but the freezing precip is just starting now. I wisely cancelled a trip to Northfield early this morning, but do have to head out later to work in the Burlington/Colchester area. In the news they have been mentioning the salt shortage and I for one am glad that they are being forced to use more sand. The salt treatments in my observation creates a worse briney slush to drive on than if they just plow and sand. In the 21 winters I spent in Anchorage sand and plowing was the method and worked just fine without the negative effect of damaging vehicles.

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by flu189

Regarding winter driving issues, it looks like today will become interesting with the freezing rain and sleet mix. The eight plus inches of heavy snow promised overnight never happened up my way as we got maybe only three, but the freezing precip is just starting now. I wisely cancelled a trip to Northfield early this morning, but do have to head out later to work in the Burlington/Colchester area. In the news they have been mentioning the salt shortage and I for one am glad that they are being forced to use more sand. The salt treatments in my observation creates a worse briney slush to drive on than if they just plow and sand. In the 21 winters I spent in Anchorage sand and plowing was the method and worked just fine without the negative effect of damaging vehicles.

I agree with you on all counts. I'm replying to posts today because Humane Lobby Day in Montpelier was canceled due to weather. Even if it wasn't, I wouldn't be interested in driving from Rutland to Montpelier in this weather.

I'd like to see more sand and less salt used, too.

[vter]

I live in a town abutting flu and my commute into work was OK. I have 4WD and good snow tires...steady & slow is the name of the game. It helped that schools were cancelled as there was very little traffic. I learned how to drive in the snow and LOVE IT.

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by vter

I learned how to drive in the snow and LOVE IT.

I enjoy driving in snow, too.

What we have in Rutland today is an ice mass with a thin layer of snow on top. On really slippery days like today, I'm usually more concerned about other people sliding into me than I am about losing control of my own car. So my favorite times to drive in wintery weather is when schools & other stuff is closed -- like today. :-)

[tkln]

We got less than 2 inches of messy stuff yesterday, and it took one of my co-workers three hours to go 30 miles. And that is on LI - not many mountains down here! I personally love to drive - period - and I love to drive even more when the conditions are adverse. I think I take after my dad - whenever the weather was bad, he'd crank up the classical music and make my mom go into super anxiety mode. I kind of do the same thing now.

But yes, it all boils down to slow and steady, and keeping your eyes out for other drivers!

[flu189]

I have to admit that the more inclement the weather the more I get out at least on my local back roads to check things out, but I am always prepared in terms of clothing should I have to hoof it back home. Hope eveyone stays safe today, I hear there was a triple traffic fatality a few hours ago on US 7 in Middlebury.

[vter]

Ya...bad accident in Middlebury. Really sad. I'll be taking the back roads home tonight.

[GypsySoul22]

Originally Posted by vter

Gypsy...does your hubby have snow tires on his car? If not, you should invest in some.

Yes, we have snowtires on our Scion. Sometimes nothing will keep you slipping on a pitched road.

The last 2 miles of his ride home are the worst (roads). Otherwise he uses I89 which is pretty good.

[seanpecor]

I've heard Scions are terrible in the snow. It's not just snow tires that make a good handling snow car, it's the front/rear weigh distribution and tire widths also. Narrow tires are better than wide tires, which typically means you're better off not getting the "performance" version of a sedan which will typically have rims that want wide tires.

Sean