Yes, they do a much better job if prepping the MAIN roads here. The side streets, not do much. I used to live in an area that was last to be plowed so I've driven in some pretty fierce conditions. We also do get freak storms that are not anticipated and not prepped for.

 

Yeah, that is how we know it in the northeast too. But it gets plowed at some point, and sanded and salted. Here, locals tell me it will not get plowed, it will ice over and everyone is holed up until the ice melts.

No salt, no sand, going nowhere. Day 2 and 36 hours after the "storm" and nothing is done about ice ...

Even my friend's Dodge Ram 4x4 had some trouble on the ice around his place yesterday.

Real different story. Snow and ice removal here comes from the rays of the sun ...

I used to have a 2001 Prelude running on OEM Bridgestone all seasons when I lived in the Chicago area way back then and it would be fine driving in snowy conditions cos the local town never let things get as bad as here. And FWD definitely helped at that time.

 

To give a recent example. I hope this is not a Azine member's car but I just took this shot this morning in the Marietta GA area, riding by in my friend's 4x4. This RL did not make it home during the Atlanta snowstorm, despite SH AWD. Looks like it could not stop, mounted the kerb and suffered some front tire/wheel damage. That spot is clear and passable now as you can see so I guess this poor guy abandoned his car a couple of days back. Illustrates Bdogg's point above. Feel bad for this guy...

And my car is still stranded, caught between two or three big sheets of ice on sloping residential area roads.

 

Just goes to show that tires make all the difference.

 

whoa, there is a mod in the 2G forum...

Tires are a big part of the equation, people either abuse them and dont rotate/replace or they buy the cheapest/used tire just to pass inspection and end up in the ditch

 

Barely anyone from the south knows how to drive in snow or ice. I refuse to drive in it because of the other drivers. We simply do not have the means to keep roads safe or the opportunities to learn proper techniques.

 

Exactly.

 

My colleagues based in our Austin office nearly all chose to stay home during the ice storms and I do not blame them. Considering that I live in Boston and the sight of snow still causes people to panic and turn into raving lunatics behind the wheel, I cannot even begin to imagine what snow and ice do to people in Texas or the South where they see this weather practically never.

 

When it snows up here, I'm like this:

 

The snow/sleet that we got on Friday wasn't too bad (relatively speaking) because people knew it was there. They could see it. Also, because we had not had a similar event since 2011, people were not opposed to giving up a day. There were something like 215 accidents reported in San Antonio by 10 a.m. (I don't know what "normal" is.)

The ice we got on Tuesday was much worse. It rained just before the temp dropped below 32. You couldn't tell there was ice on the pavement. (Other than your entire car and house being covered with ice and icicles. ) In addition to this, because people had given up the previous Friday, people were more adverse to playing it safe. Austin roads were a nightmare on Tuesday.


Friday, Jan 24, 2014. Deemed "Snopocalypse 2014".

 

To post only one copy, just post the web url from the address bar*.


*Unless you are on an iPhone. I don't know how to post only one copy then.

 

Dude, it took me like 15 minutes just to figure out how to embed a video to begin with. Lol.

 

 

Huh. Okay. I guess I was just confused because it wasn't showing up in the "Preview Post" box.

 

 

After posting a video of how TO drive in the elements, I now will provide you with a video of how NOT TO drive in the elements.

 

#stereotypefuel...

 

Whoa! the damage doesn't appear to be severe but still wasn't expecting that.

Agreed. Something to keep in mind since this will be my vehicle to drive on snow covered roads.

I would say that has something to do with it. A co-worker who resides in Florida did not want to drive when he visited our office recently because of the snow.

 

I must say that I've been impressed with my Conti DWS on my 06 RL. We got a good amount of snow here in NC and it's performed quite well, even going up the good incline (45-50) road leading to my home. I had no doubt that it would do well. I've visited relatives in the Northeast (PA and NH) during the winter months and have not had any issues, except for once when I couldn't make it up a hill...but I was ok with that because there were a couple of Chevy and Ford trucks that didn't make it also. (Trust me, I know my sedan is not at truck...lol).

 

Im Still love ContDWS on 08RL I'm in Chicago

 

45-50 what? MPH? Years old? Feet?

 

degrees...

 

Yeah. Mmm hmm.

 

 

I'm really surprised Texas can't afford rock salt for the 2-3 days a year you guys get sprinkled with snow and a 6x6 patch of ice forms. Throwing sand down is just evil

 

Salt, storage, vehicles to lay it down, trained manpower...it's more than just "affording rock salt."

I honestly don't think it would matter anyway. People down south are just ill-prepared to deal with driving in ice/snow conditions. You can prep the roads all you want but a lot of it still comes down to experience driving in limited traction conditions.

 

You make it seem like the Sand just floats out of the sky like the snow and ice. They have vehicles to lay down sand and employees to do it. I'm sure they store the sand and just don't make a run to home depot.

Considering most of the issues with driving in inclement weather in the south are ice related and it never gets below 10 degrees, usually just below freezing, than salt would really help. It won't fix all the problems but it would help. When I lived in the south, driving with sand down was very frustrating and inconsistent.

 

They store the sand outside in piles.

 

Are you telling me they can't find some indoor storage in the biggest state in the country?

I think it has a lot more to do with cost difference....... I never understood being cheap about salt when your entire population wrecks at the sight of a snow flake.

 

No, we can, but honestly the economic loss is less than the cost of salt. Prior to this year, we have not had roads shut down since 2011. Years when it does, it only does it once. This year was the exception, and honestly, we would all be fine if people had any common sense. Half the people on the road drive around with dangerously bald or improperly inflated tires. The other half drive like idiots.

I agree with you about sand though. It's very annoying.

 

Yes, I remember that 2011 Ice Storm. I drove a ton through it but I'm from up north so it didn't really stop me in my 300hp rwd car. I more or less had to avoid less capable drivers.

Its not so much a economic issue. More of a safety issue. You can't expect people who don't see snow to use common sense. They don't have it since they don't see it.

 

"in the South"???

Barely ANYONE in the NY Tristate area knows how to drive in ANY type of precipitation!
We have an ample share of idiot drivers, especially those that think AWD is magic!

 

the "north" nova/maryland and up have better response plans and equipment to maintain the roads.

That and they get more practice, no one south of Maryland knows what snow tires are.

 

That's a liberal mindset and exactly my point. Welcome to Texas. Money >>> *, including people*.




*Unless that person is unborn for some reason , but that's a discussion for R&P.

 

This is the first bad winter in nj we've had since I bought my 05 in 08. I'm on new versados. The RL is a beast in bad weather, snow or ice. Virtually no sliding and almost always feel in complete control. I take it easy, but it really handles well. I've had it in as much as 4".

 

I do miss that no income tax deal. That's sweet.

 

Here we are in mid-February and I'm still impressed with this car (got it in November) with the snowy winter we have had. I'm really considering selling my Blizzak snow tires from my other car since it's not getting any use.