It’s a lot down South. Most smaller cities don’t have salt trucks or plows. The snow is usually very wet and sticks to the tires. The more you drive the bigger and stickier it gets. We don’t get enough of it down here to invest in snow tires or snow plows. An inch of snow cripples us back in the hills. Most of the time, as soon as it starts the schools let out and businesses close down. Two inches of snow and we are ordered off the roads by the local law enforcement.
Top Gear investigated using combines for snow use. Parts 1 and 2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxgfFwEZjes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_qMikzSxE0
The other difference is that the roads are usually warm and wet when the snow starts. That leaves a layer of glare ice which requires chains or studded tires to drive on safely.
Part of the problem is lack of snow driving experience or equipment, but a significant part is the ice.
BTW, I’m a Georgia boy, but have lived in the Chicago suburbs and have no problem on driving on snow up North.
Mrs BN & I cancelled dinner out tonight. It was in the 30’s today before the snow started here in NC, so the roads were wet. It is 19 now and getting colder. Ice rink time on our country roads!
Stay warm, people!
Even in New England I have nearly totaled my car several times due to all these bouts of ice and snow. I want to have that Al Gore delivered to my home so that I can put a shovel in his hand and have him clear a path to my pile of firewood