To be fair to the South, they don't know how to take care of the roads when it snows or ices.  Midwesterners would have the same problems as Southerners in the road conditions they have to deal with.

As a former Minnesotan now living in the south, they're wildly unprepared for any ice/snow in the forecast. No snow plows, salt, or any materials that we take for granted up north. 

Even if there's a threat of ice, schools are already cancelled, and most people are calling in to work that they won't be able to make it. 

 

As a former Minnesotan now living in the south, they're wildly unprepared for any ice/snow in the forecast. No snow plows, salt, or any materials that we take for granted up north. 

Even if there's a threat of ice, schools are already cancelled, and most people are calling in to work that they won't be able to make it. 

 

One thing I noticed is that people from northern climes who move south will often mock the locals for how they drive during icy weather.  I further noticed that these people who mock tend to be the ones having accidents because they are expecting a different experience on the road.     They also forget that accidents in the north increase during snowy weather, too.

 

I don't live in the south anymore mostly due to getting sick of the heat.  I don't mind the cold.

We like to brag, but it's just not the case.

It took me 3 hours to get to work this morning, normally a 1 hour drive. 694 was a parking lot from 494 to the 94 split....and there wasn't even any snow on the roads anymore.

 

We are more prepared to get the roads plowed quickly, but people still drive like it's 2 feet of snow on sheer ice.

 

One thing I noticed is that people from northern climes who move south will often mock the locals for how they drive during icy weather.  I further noticed that these people who mock tend to be the ones having accidents because they are expecting a different experience on the road.     They also forget that accidents in the north increase during snowy weather, too.

 

I don't live in the south anymore mostly due to getting sick of the heat.  I don't mind the cold.

I've only had 1 morning in 2.5 years of living here where there was a sliver of ice on the ground, so I haven't seen the true horrors of people in the south navigating through it. 

I will say the locals will treat rain like we do with snow... That's more frustrating IMO. As soon as it starts sprinkling, people slow way down, and forget how to properly change lanes on the highway. 

This isn't true for Arizona.

 

People are just bat ^*$^ crazy drivers regardless of conditions.  Though some snow and ice would probably turn some of those regular accidents into some physics-defying wonders.

True story. In 1996 I moved from the Twin Cities to a job in a small town in western Nevada at 6000 feet elevation. They get snow there. My first significant storm that winter, probably 12 inches of wet heavy Sierra Cement, I got up a bit early, and fired up the really expensive Honda snow blower that Consumer Reports said was good but no one would ever need and which all the neighbors said was the thing to get. Got the driveway cleared and headed on in to work, confident in the top of the line snow tires I had had installed on our Taurus. Got to the office about 8:30, half an hour late, feeling pretty good about life. Everybody, all dozen or so, was sitting at their desks, working quietly as usual. "Where ya been?" the boss asked casually. "Clearing the driveway," I said, still feeling a little proud of having handled the necessities of mountain life without a hitch. "Try to get to work on time," he advised. "OK," I said. True story.

This isn't true for Arizona.

 

People are just bat ^*$^ crazy drivers regardless of conditions. Though some snow and ice would probably turn some of those regular accidents into some physics-defying wonders.

Having just spent a week driving throughout Arizona, I can attest to the validity of this post.

We like to brag, but it's just not the case.

It took me 3 hours to get to work this morning, normally a 1 hour drive. 694 was a parking lot from 494 to the 94 split....and there wasn't even any snow on the roads anymore.

 

We are more prepared to get the roads plowed quickly, but people still drive like it's 2 feet of snow on sheer ice.

Yeah, no different up here, every year after the first snowfall, people drive like it's the first time they've ever seen the stuff. Drives me batty.

Yeah, no different up here, every year after the first snowfall, people drive like it's the first time they've ever seen the stuff. Drives me batty.

Yeah, especially since it's only about a month from the final melt to the first snow.

 

Having just spent a week driving throughout Arizona, I can attest to the validity of this post.

 

My wife (a born Chicago driver) and I marvel at it.  I feel like I'm on the road with a bunch of drunk 14 year olds.  

 

It'd be amazing if it wasn't so damn terrifying.

 

I've only had 1 morning in 2.5 years of living here where there was a sliver of ice on the ground, so I haven't seen the true horrors of people in the south navigating through it. 

I will say the locals will treat rain like we do with snow... That's more frustrating IMO. As soon as it starts sprinkling, people slow way down, and forget how to properly change lanes on the highway. 

 

If you live in Austin, that's where I lived for about 20 years.  

The problem with rain there is inadequate drainage.  Even I-35 will have patches of standing water after moderate rain.  Unless you are familiar with the road and know where the standing water will be, it's better just to go slow.  

Doesnt matter what the weather is like, Utah drivers are the worst i have ever been around. Coming from a guy who has driven in places like Panama, cyprus and qatar.

 

Doesnt matter what the weather is like, Utah drivers are the worst i have ever been around. Coming from a guy who has driven in places like Panama, cyprus and qatar.

 

Hmmm, I may have to sample this to compare to Arizona.  Maybe it's a regional thing.