Question about snow driving

[MineralMan]

14. Back in the 1970s, I used to ski a lot in the Sierra Nevada mountains

in California. When there was snow, cars without four-wheel-drive were required to use chains on mountain roads and freeways. So, I often had to put on chains to get to where I wanted to ski. It was a pain in the butt, actually.

But, once you had them on, driving was lots easier and you could actually stop, if you needed to. So, they worked very well. For what they did.

Now, I live in Minnesota. It is legal here to use chains, but almost nobody does. Ever. Modern tires are better. Most cars have front wheel drive. Many have all-wheel-drive that automatically kicks if traction is lost. Others have four-wheel-drive. We also drive more on snowy roads than, say, Californians.

That said, every time there is a snowstorm, there are crashes, skids, and cars off the road in the ditch.

I have personal rules about driving on snowy or icy roads:

1. Start stopping before you start driving.
2. Slow the heck down. A lot.
3. If you don't absolutely need to go, stay home.
4. Have good all-weather tires.
5. Drive as little as possible for the shortest distances possible.