How do yall drive in the snow ?!?

Question

Hey yall,

I have a weird question; how do yall drive in the snow ? I'm embarrassed to ask this, but this is my first winter living in the North and to be honest, I've never really even seen snow before, let alone had to drive in it. I am SO stressed out over this! If I drive slow, all I get is a bunch of inpatient yankees tailing me, flashing their lights and honking their horns and then I get even more stressed but I don't dare to speed up as I'm afraid I'll go off the road. I'd take my good ole Alabama weather and hurricanes any day over snow!!!

Any suggestions or simple words of encouragement ? LOL I'm fixin to go crazy one of these days if things don't change...HA!

Thanks for any thoughts!

First- thank you so far to everyone for your help so far!

Second, regarding 'hookerln' reply, I call them Yankees because that's exactly what they are- rude and inconsiderate! And for your information, it's NOT us Southerners who drive slow in the left lane- it's Yall who do- and it's SO aggrivating. I guarentee you, in alabama at least, if there's a car in the left lane and it's going under the speed limit, they're a Yankee. I'm not stereotyping all Northeners as I know some very pleasant folks up here- but if you act like a Yankee and sound like a Yankee...well, go figure the rest out...

Answer 1

Do you mean on the interstate, or in town?

It's no big deal in town, as they usually have things pretty well plowed and or sanded. The best tip is to drive in 3rd or Drive and not Overdrive, this gives you more control. Act like it's really rainy and take the same precautions you would normally use...slow down farther ahead for stops, take turns much slower. If you do feel yourself sliding, DON'T freak out and NEVER jerk the steering wheel or try to correct. Just hold still, breathe, and your car will correct itself. I promise!

On the interstate, the same tips apply, but are more important. If the roads are pretty bad, do not use cruise control. If you feel yourself sliding, gently GENTLY press the brake a little, but do not steer differently or anything else...again, your car will likely correct itself. Drive in the lane everyone else is driving in, follow someone if needed, that helps esp if you have a smaller car. Make sure you leave well ahead of time...I've had to go about 45 on a 75 before just because of the snow. Also, it's easier to drive more safely if you know you have plenty of time.

And always BUCKLE UP!


I'd like to add a comment...snow chains and or studded tires ARE NOT ALWAYS LEGAL or allowed on the roads. Make sure you are aware of this before you use something like that. However, having very good, new all-season tires on at least your drive wheels will make a difference.

Answer 2

Drive slower than u would on a dry road. Leave more distance form the car in front of u. If u hit the brakes, and the car starts 2 slide, get off of the brakes, so that u won't lose control of the car. Don't worry about the cars behind u, u should drive at a speed that is comfortable 4 u. If u don't have 2 drive in the snow, then don't. Good luck and i hope this will b helpful 2 u.

Answer 3

Ok, 1st and for most, do not, again do not let people push you, too try to make you go faster. I would just flip your rear view so you can't see the cars behind you.

Most of these people that have 4 wheel drive think they can go faster then people with 2 wheel drive, that is not true at all, they can slip or go into a spin just as easy as cars with 2 wheel drive. The only advantage with having 4 wheel drive is they get better traction if they get stuck, it is not meant hulling @ss down a snow or ice covered road.

Also, always remember, if you drive in the snow or ice, and you go into a skid never ever jam on your breaks.

This was funny as hell, a few years ago, we had a big snow storm, I was on a highway, 2 lanes going each way, with trees in the middle, there was this peace of crap Camaro, it came up behind me, and was on my tail, I was in the left lain, since the right lain was not clear at all, so this car was on my @ss, I was doing about 40, drive along in my BMW, I looked my review and I saw that car slipping and sliding went into the embankment, I stared to laugh so hard, and I said haha, I said that's what the hell he gets, I mean he was flashing his lights for me too move over, I was like hell no, if he wants to pass, than he can go into the right lane which had about a foot of snow... Then I turned my parking lights off and on to show that I was laughing at him...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Captain, Chris W T
ATP- Lear 45, B747- A318 - A380
CFI

Answer 4

Depends where you're at. Some states have snow tires (PLEASE!!!! Tell me you have snow tires or all season & you 're not driving with the same tires your car had in Alabama or your really up a creek!!!) Then some state's allow chains on the tires. Some states allow studs. Going slow till you're used to it is safer. Damn the Yanks! I'm origionally from Florida learned to drive in the snow & now have 4x4 because it's fun & so much easier. You can do it. Practice makes perfect. Driving isn't the hard part, turning & stopping is!!!! lol! Don't go crazy, get a 4x4 & shoot the snow onto the cars instead of letting them do that to you! So much more fun! You never get used to it. Everyone relearns every year. always different every time you go out. Good luck to you! Don't stress, just turn your radio up really loud & block out their horns!

***EDIT***
DON"T USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE!!!!!!!!!!
unless you really want to know how donuts are formed!

Answer 5

It can be very challenging driving in the snow. Just remember that if you are starting to loose control, hitting your brakes will only make it worse. Trust me, I know from experience. It's best to just let up off the gas, the traction of the snow will slow the car down.

I've been driving legally for about 5 years and the only "accident" I have been in while I was behind the wheel was when it was snowing. So I don't really like the snow that much when it comes to driving!

Answer 6

Drive in the tire tracks of other cars. Leave plenty of distance in front of you and the next car. Drive slowly at a comfortable speed. Always have a way out to avoid hitting anything. Don't worry about what others think of your driving as they pass you (you might see them in a ditch ahead, then laugh at them as you drive by). If you follow these steps and have a accident you probably wont hurt anyone. But you should do just fine, there much worse weather that you could get stuck driving in.

Answer 7

If you live anywhere near a city, here's a tip: in inclement weather, traffic often gets outrageously bad. It may take you 5, even 10X longer than normal to get to your destination, so step 1 is to make sure you have plenty of gas!!!

Don't be one of the idiots who has to abandon your car in the fast lane of the freeway, making things worse for everyone.

Answer 8

hon, you are doing exactly right... drive only as fast as you are comfortable. if they were more competent drivers, they would either relax and follow, or pass you. i grew up in atlanta and have since driven in all kinds of conditions. stay in your comfort zone. you could also go to a deserted parking lot and carefully explore your car's capabilities. slowly work up your skill level, and you can drive safely anywhere.

Answer 9

Drive at a pace you are comfortable with, don't let stupid people intimidate you into unsafe driving.

Remember, if they don't like it, they have the same shorts to get happy in as well.

Answer 10

its very easy!
if your going in the snow with your car and the road has that special salt on it and you see other going fast,
DONT GO FAST PLEASE!
you see, if you go fast your car has all those little piece of salt under it and well i cant evplain it well but youll crash!
so drive slowand keep your eyes on the road! but if you want to talk to your friends just get a bluetooth!
please be safe and dont drive to slow!
he
he
he
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realy dont! and be safe!