Folks in cold weather states are bemused by the scene in ATL.
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I must admit, as a person who grew up in a Chicago suburb, then moved to Quebec, I have had to shake my head a couple of times at this debacle; it`s hard to believe such a mess was caused by some snow and ice. Then I remember how delighted I was, that first winter up here, when I got snow tires...
Driving on snow is an art; I perfected my first 180-degree turn with my learner`s permit on my suburban street in a rear-wheel powered car(clearly, the turn was not on purpose, LOL!).
Seriously, though—it takes experience, particularly if you don`t have four or front-wheel drive or snow tires.
Even here, people are stupid with the first snow—they just don`t slow down and they don`t leave enough space between their car and the one in front of them. Highway 417 was full of accidents last fall when there was the first snow.
You can`t drive the same on wet, slippery pavement as you can on summer pavement, and people in GA don`t have often the opportunity to get that experience.
I grew up in upstate New York. I literally drove one time through about 8-12 inches of uncleared snow for 5 to 6 miles, my tires propelling me like a propeller of a boat. I *KNOW* how to drive in winter weather.
That said, Atlanta is a different animal. Snow hits, melts, and immediately becomes black ice. Everywhere. Right away.
Without salt or sand treatment — which Atlanta has precious little application ability — these roads are impassible. In fact, I’m leery of WALKING on them.