And then I experienced driving through two inches of snow in New Jersey.
I would like to suggest some winter driving do's and don't's for the Jersey population to limit the driving delays, injuries and deaths, and to limit my road rage.
DO leave early!
An extra five or ten minutes will give you ample time to take it easy on the road. If you're late, you're late. I would assume that most employers would understand. So unless someone is dying or giving birth, leave early and take your time.
DON'T be Weavy McWeaverson
Along the same lines as taking ones time, there is absolutely no need to be weaving in and out of traffic when there is snow, slush or freezing rain on the road. If you think traffic is bad now, wait until you see how bad it gets when you cause a multiple-car pile up by cutting someone off. By being patient (gasp!) and giving other drivers enough room, traffic will move more smoothly in general and fewer people will go off the road yelling profanities and waving gestures out the window.
DO learn how to control a skid
I was surprised to learn, through a respectable top area radio program, that most New Jersey drivers do not know how to control a skid or fishtailing. Before I had my permanent license, my parents took me to a church parking lot and told me to stop suddenly on an icy patch. I did so, felt the loss of control, and learned to turn in to the skid, not against. If you visualize your wheels while this is happening, it makes sense. Knowing this skill is vital to avoiding crashes. Learn it, do it, teach your kids.
DON'T tailgate!
This may seem obvious, but tailgating during icy conditions is even more dangerous than on dry, smooth, clear pavement. Apparently this is not the thought of the average Jersey driver. Tailgating, especially on bridges or freeway ramps is idiotic. You will not force the driver in front of you to go any faster than they feel is safe in the weather, and if you rear end someone, it is your fault, no matter how slow they are going. Bridges and ramps freeze first. If you can read, you'd know that by the big yellow signs on the side of the road. So back off and give cars and trucks space, especially on tight curves and ramps.
DO lose the attitude
Winter driving sucks. It sucks for me, it sucks for you, it sucks for everyone. So do not pretend that you are the only driver on the road who needs to get somewhere quickly. We all need to get somewhere quickly, that's why we have cars and not horse-drawn carriages. Getting all angry at slower traffic, tailgating people and generally having an attitude is not going to help you at all. So drop the attitude. Seriously.
DON'T go 15 miles an hour in a 55 mph zone
The same local radio program refers to winter weather traffic as "Snowpocalypse." I did not realize this was the truth until I got behind a car going 15 mph in a 55 mph zone on a major highway. If one wants to go 5-10 mph under the speed limit during inclement weather, that is not only acceptable, but safe. Speed limits are configured for best driving conditions, not worst. But it is not safer to go 15 in a 55mph. In fact, it is more dangerous, because people are going to have to slam on their brakes behind you, possibly causing skids they may not know how to get out of, and cutting off other drivers they did not give enough room to. If you are so uncomfortable driving in snow or icy conditions, then stay home. Do not make it worse for the responsible drivers out there. You could probably walk where you're going faster than driving 15 mph anyways.
DON'T buy into the lie that SUV's are safer
Four wheel drive is great in a foot of snow, but it doesn't make you any safer on ice. SUV's are more likely to spin out and tip over due to their height than sedans or vans. If you drive an SUV, you are not invincible. Take it easy like the rest of us.
I hope a little bit of Midwestern knowledge and common sense sticks somewhere in the East Coast collective. If not, I'm buying a dog sled team before it snows again.
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