First real snow makes for a bad drive to work

@fawkes62 (1276)
United States
November 19, 2015 2:13pm CST
This morning we received our first real snowfall of the winter. For a first snowfall, it wasn't that bad. I don't know how much we got, but it wasn't a lot. The thing that made it bad was that we also have 30 mph winds sustained, with gusts significantly stronger than that. It made for a lot of blowing snow. Add the blowing snow to the slippery and icy roads, and you get horrible driving conditions. I started out going to work my normal way, but soon found traffic significantly backed up at the underpass that allows traffic to go underneath the interstate. Cars were backed up from the stop sign all the way underneath interstate to the intersection I was at. I couldn't see if there was an accident or not, but the cars didn't seem to be moving at all. So I turned at the intersection and headed to one of the main roads that would get me the direction I needed. After I had made it several blocks on that road, I heard someone hit their horn. Turns out the pickup two lanes over, going the same direction I was, had problems stopping for the red light. The pickup fishtailed and hit the car in the middle lane, right next to me. I saw the guy get out of the pickup and watched him fall as he tried stepping on the road. He got up quickly, so he wasn't hurt. When I finally got onto the second to last road I needed, also a main road, the traffic was again backed up horribly. This time it was backed up for at least 8 blocks. I again couldn't see if there was an accident or not, but was at least able to get around the traffic after moving slowly a couple of blocks. The left turn lane, which I needed, wasn't blocked, just the two lanes going straight. I finally got to work after having my drive take at least twice as long as it normally does. Thankfully the drive home wasn't nearly as exciting/stressful as the drive to work was.
6 people like this
8 responses
@mom210 (9170)
• United States
19 Nov 15
I really hate driving in that stuff, mostly because people try to drive the same speed as when the read is dry,.
2 people like this
@mom210 (9170)
• United States
25 Nov 15
@ivyparkgirl We are the same way here in GA, when it snows, everything closes down
@fawkes62 (1276)
• United States
4 Dec 15
The biggest problem here is that people forget that it takes a lot longer to stop when the road is icy or snow covered. It always takes that first real snowfall for people to remember. We slow down when the roads are bad, but that only helps some.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154103)
• Canada
19 Nov 15
That's the worst part of the snow and the wind together. It is dangerous for everyone.
2 people like this
@fawkes62 (1276)
• United States
4 Dec 15
The wind definitely makes it harder to see which makes driving more difficult.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Nov 15
Snow causes absolute mayhem here in England because it is a long while since heavy snowfalls were commonplace here, so very few drivers are accustomed to dealing with the conditions.
1 person likes this
@fawkes62 (1276)
• United States
4 Dec 15
We get heavy snow at least a few times each winter, so it isn't something we aren't used to, it's just the first one of the season that is the problem. It's like people forget how to drive on it over the summer.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
4 Dec 15
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
20 Nov 15
It sounds like the drivers where you live drive like they do here. I don't work anymore but when I did, I always hated to drive in the snow. It was always the other people you have to watch out for.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
6 Dec 15
@fawkes62 It's true, there isn't anything we can do about the other drivers. Fortunately I don't work anymore and don't have to worry about driving in it.
1 person likes this
@fawkes62 (1276)
• United States
4 Dec 15
Yes, it seems like you have to watch out a lot for the other drivers when it's icy. Unfortunately there isn't much that can be done about the other drivers. Just drive carefully yourself and hope you don't get in an accident. Now that we've made it through the first real snowfall it should get a little better.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Nov 15
i'm glad'ja made it safe 'n sound, though somewhat unnerved, hon. i don't understand folks these days? seems it don't matter where one lives these days, there's always many who've not a clue how to drive in ice/snow/winds/rain. i miss the days've folks changin' out their sneakers (tires) 'fore weathers to hit their neck'f the woods to mud/snow tires...'n what happened to chains?? 'm i the only soul out there who's still got 'em 'n uses 'em when i've a need to drive 'pon ice/snow covered roadways?
1 person likes this
@fawkes62 (1276)
• United States
4 Dec 15
I believe chains are no longer allowed around here because people left them on too long and caused too much damage to the roads. I could be mistaken about that, but I believe that's what I heard. Most people get all weather tires around here so they don't have to change them out for each season and after the first snowy/icy day, don't have too much of an issue getting around. It's just the first one that is always difficult.
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
23 Nov 15
Glad you got the drive over with. Having the first real snow here right now, so will be having a difficult drive in the morning too. But I will be getting used to it. Winter is here!
1 person likes this
@fawkes62 (1276)
• United States
4 Dec 15
We had a second snow just a few days ago and it seemed like people were better at driving on it than the first. That first one is always a wake up call to adjust our driving for the winter.
1 person likes this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
5 Dec 15
@fawkes62 Yes, that happens around here too. We have not had a second snow and it has been very mild here.
@sofssu (23660)
20 Nov 15
Oh wow.. sounds like an ordeal driving to work in the snow. Hope things get better for you as winter moves ahead.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238306)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Nov 15
Sounds really slick. I'd be throwing my truck into 4-whell drive under those conditions. Be safe. Where are you, by the way?
1 person likes this
@fawkes62 (1276)
• United States
4 Dec 15
I'm in North Dakota, so we are used to having the snow in winter, but the first one is always difficult. It seems to take the first snow fall for everyone to get used to driving on it again.