I live in MI. Pretty sure you’re one of the people I’d see in a ditch here. Sometimes you gotta go way slower than that, bro. We had an ice storm last month, and 15 mph was too fast in some spots. Plenty of times 25mph has been fast enough on the freeway. Lots of times in straight snow you can do 40-45 safely, but…

I did, though this was before I drove a stick. Also, Minnesota roads are 100% better in the snow than DC’s roads because Minnesota snow plow crews are bad-ass.

I don’t know what tires people are talking about, by my last set set me back at least a grand!!! I also don’t have a place to store tires.

Generally if it’s that bad out, I’m staying out of the left lane anyway unless I come upon someone really crawling, because the right lane is usually better plowed.

I currently live (and grew up/learned to drive) in the northern Rockies, and you bet I own snow tires that go on every winter. Actually, way before winter, because it’s been known to start freezing rain and/or snow in August around here.

I almost always get off the interstate when the roads are crap for just this reason. I am a careful snow driver and I know how to handle my car, but there’s always some idiot in an SUV who wants to go 70, and I’m not going to take that chance. I’ll bop along at 30 on the country highway. At least if I get in an…

Snow does not come every year to every location. Our highways are nothing like the path in the picture you posted.

“Buy a good set of winter tires” is not good advice for somebody trying to get home from work during a snowstorm. That’s not something they can choose to do. This article very clearly specifies that this kind of suggestion is not what we’re looking for.

“Buy something with 4x4 and solid steel bumpers, make sure its safe to drive, put on a great set of studded winters,” is not useful advice for somebody trying to drive home from work during a snowstorm. That is not something they can choose to do. They have the cars they have, and they’re trying to get home in them.

I live in a city known for its snow. Generally most people get around fine in city driving at the speed limit here.

Honestly, that sounds to me like a situation in which you have to decide, on your way down the hill, what the best kind of accident to get in will be if you can't stop at the bottom. Obviously try to go as slowly as you can on the way down, of course—but if it was me, I'd also be ready to try to angle myself into the…

These are the same beltway folk who leave a 6 inch cap of snow on their cars after any actual snow and drive around waiting for it to fly full force into whatever is behind them. I demand more Mad Max/Deathrace 2000 rules for these people, Albert.

Do all of you fools really think that manual transmissions are the only ones that allow for engine braking? WTF cars are you all driving??!? My 1987 Toyota camry had a 2 and L position. If you are driving a car newer than that then there is no excuse for not knowing how to put your car in a lower gear, regardless of…

I honestly don't know what compels people who are absolutely terrified of snow driving to just go and do it anyway.

No it doesn't. You may have completely ignored them to the point of forgetting that they were there but most cars have that little letter D next to the gearshift and then if you look below them: 4, 3, and even 2!

Fair enough but the fooling around in the parking lot is solid advice. You gotta know what it feels like when you're slipping.

I don't disagree that lots of people should just stay home if they're that afraid of driving in the snow. But, A) as you noted, many people just don't have the option of not going to work, and B) many of the others on the Beltway might have been going home, where they really do have to go, because it's where they…

you forgot to use your transmission to decelerate.

Anticipating stops by engine braking with a manual transmission really gives you a greater feeling of control in bad weather driving. Same for stop and go in dry conditions.

Solid advice, and it skirts the whole AWD vs winter tire debate nicely. The truth is that if you just calm down and think it through, you wont have much trouble.