First real snow makes for a bad drive to work
By Shannon
@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
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

@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

@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• 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.









