Long headline is long.

It's just like driving on regular road but with more sliding and crashing.....

Zarquon's Flat Tire: MysteryMachine: I'm a Buffalo, NY native, transplanted to DC.  People here go insane about absolutely trivial accumulations on a regular basis.  Part of the problem is the complete lack of infrastructure (plows, salt piles, etc).  Whenever a "snowpocalypse" or "snowmaggedon" or whatever hits they end up importing equipment and manpower from Baltimore.  Still, that doesn't mean you have to drive like a moron, DC drivers need to get their shiat together.

I live in Georgia, and have no idea how to drive in snow. But we only get to practice one or two days every three years or so.

People who live in DC don't know how to drive on dry pavement, let alone on ice and snow.

Look all you snarkasauruses, the roads aren't even 100% clear and they didn't even delay schools.

We're getting tougher.

_{forget about the schools being closed on Monday because it was wet outside.}

I read that as "storm of orangutang proportions" and it made more sense. I need to go back to bed.

I am certainly not trying to defend DC drivers here, but a little perspective is needed:

DC/NoVa/MD Counties that hug DC has one of the highest concentrations of transplants/non-native born residents in the country.  So people bring their locale's bad driving habits and driving styles to them.  Now compound literally thousands of regional/local driving styles into the DC metro area and add a few million people onto the road, and there you go, the craziness that is driving around here.

/From SoCal so I am used to defensive driving
//The beltway is terrifying to me
///If I were pressed to describe the driving style for the DC area, I would say it is selfish - very "me first, me first, I got to the light first/merged first, I win!!!!"

I just moved to MD from Western NY, that was one of the heaviest storms I've driven through. People here just aren't equipped to handle snowfall like that. Stop being stupid subby.

Target Builder: As someone about to start my morning commute in Nova I'm getting a kick.

Heading out in about an hour, curious to see how things are then

MysteryMachine: I'm a Buffalo, NY native, transplanted to DC.  People here go insane about absolutely trivial accumulations on a regular basis.  Part of the problem is the complete lack of infrastructure (plows, salt piles, etc).  Whenever a "snowpocalypse" or "snowmaggedon" or whatever hits they end up importing equipment and manpower from Baltimore.  Still, that doesn't mean you have to drive like a moron, DC drivers need to get their shiat together.

About 90% of the drivers here are from other parts of the world. Many have no clue how to drive in snow, so even the littlest accumulation does have that effect. And it's not so much the lack of road clearing equipment, but rather there is so much traffic on the roads that it renders the equipment ineffective. That's what happened when the last snowfall hit.

Enemabag Jones: I understand that driving in snow can be an acquired skill.

But what part of 'slow down in a lower friction environment' do people not understand?

/This goes for rain too.

Lots of disposable income in the DC area means people by big fancy cars "With Traction Control™" (BMW, Audi, Mercedes) or giant SUVs/Pick-Ups with 4x4 and for some reason think that because their car was marketed to them has having auto sensing stability control and 4 wheel drive that means they can drive as they normally do if not harder and the car will take care of itself.

tl;dr - People are idiots

MysteryMachine: Zarquon's Flat Tire: MysteryMachine: I'm a Buffalo, NY native, transplanted to DC.  People here go insane about absolutely trivial accumulations on a regular basis.  Part of the problem is the complete lack of infrastructure (plows, salt piles, etc).  Whenever a "snowpocalypse" or "snowmaggedon" or whatever hits they end up importing equipment and manpower from Baltimore.  Still, that doesn't mean you have to drive like a moron, DC drivers need to get their shiat together.

I live in Georgia, and have no idea how to drive in snow. But we only get to practice one or two days every three years or so.

Slow, careful, add another 1-2 car lengths between you and the next guy (depending on speed), don't make sharp turns, if you start to fishtail don't try to slam on the brakes or yank the wheel, just take your foot off the accelerator and keep the wheel steady.  Start your stops way earlier than usual, to give yourself additional time and to give sufficient warning to the people behind you.  It's very easy to sail past the turn you wanted to make because you didn't start the braking process in time, don't underestimate it.

Well said I got to practice all that way more than I wanted to when I was living in Nashville. In one winter I ended up driving on snow and ice more than I ever had in my life. I remembered all that was still nervous as hell though.

Is being a Nestor obscure?
/I like grapes, in a bunch

SurfaceTension: MysteryMachine: I'm a Buffalo, NY native, transplanted to DC.  People here go insane about absolutely trivial accumulations on a regular basis.  Part of the problem is the complete lack of infrastructure (plows, salt piles, etc).  Whenever a "snowpocalypse" or "snowmaggedon" or whatever hits they end up importing equipment and manpower from Baltimore.  Still, that doesn't mean you have to drive like a moron, DC drivers need to get their shiat together.

About 90% of the drivers here are from other parts of the world. Many have no clue how to drive in snow, so even the littlest accumulation does have that effect. And it's not so much the lack of road clearing equipment, but rather there is so much traffic on the roads that it renders the equipment ineffective. That's what happened when the last snowfall hit.

I really do wish more companies would embrace telecommuting too, especially when the weather may make things a bit dangerous on the roads.