A lot of mountain passes in CO used to have those requirements when I was a kid. I remember stopping on the side of the highway and my dad would have to chain up the truck to get up the pass.

OK, what if i just make some kind of a metal tire or possibly a roller that i push in front of my car. Then i just heat it up red hot with a torch in the morning (in the process making my own tootsies nice and warm) and happily drive to work knowing i've outsmarted the ice.

Problem 100% solved with no unintended consequences!

Sounds like a solution devised by a government agency to me.

spent close to 6 hours driving south through the rain yesterday...oh, joy

Good thing you did not start in Key West

I'm from Massachusetts and we're at I believe over 90 inches of snow this winter alone and I have never seen a car with snow chains/cables in my life. I'd say the tires are probably more effective, and don't damage your vehicle.

That being said, I'd also venture to assume that our road crews are better equipped to clear and prep the roads as well, so that might be a factor. There's some slippage from time to time, but that just keeps you alert on your drive home after a long day!

Just FYI, I did a quick search and there are plenty of different types of chains and cables out there that are guaranteed not to break under normal usage, so if you're going to get a set just do your homework and don't chintz out on the cost if you're not going to invest in a good set of snow tires. They will come in handy for emergencies.

We did this as teenagers. We'd go to a big empty lot, like a church lot, and learn how to steer out of a skid. Better than having your rear end swing around on the interstate, and having to think, "now which way do I turn the wheel?"

If there wasn't too much snow, we'd often go out on the frozen lakes and "practice" our donuts.

I rarely engage the 4 wheel drive in my truck unless there is a possibility of getting stuck. I get a little sideways sometimes but it keeps me in practice of steering out of a skid. I hit black ice a few months ago and had the back end of the truck jump out nearly 90 degrees to the left doing about 45 mph. When I corrected it went 90 the other way and finally I reeled it back in.

The donuts on the ice reminds me of a picture that someone posted on facebook from my hometown. When I was about 10 years old, the temperature dropped to below zero for a couple of weeks. The river was frozen over and a couple of guys decided to drive up the frozen river to a town about 10 miles away. After they drove back, one decided to do some donuts on the ice where the river passed through the main part of our town. Apparently it was more than the ice could take and the front end of the van broke through. It sat there for several weeks until someone was able to drag it out. It's one of those memories that never seems to fade - seeing that van stuck in the ice.

Just to beat Peepers to the punch:

mmmm... donuts

my one and only time hitting this my car spun completely around at least 3 1/2 times, and I ended up on the shoulder facing the wrong way, just as an 18-wheeler came flying over the bridge...2 seconds sooner and I was crushed.

and for those who remember the old Speed Racer cartoons...yes, my facial expression and noises I was making were 100% similar to what Speed did every time the Mach-5 went into a spin...

I can't imagine how scary that was for you Happy. And yes, I remember Speed Racer. My younger brother loved it when we were kids.

A few years ago, I was heading home after it had snowed that day and when I got off the interstate I did a 360 turn-a-round all while on the phone. I did not go off in the ditch or anything. I literally spun around and off I went.

I know I should have not been on the phone but I was impressed that I was able to still talk and keep it on the road!

it really wasn't scary until the 18-wheeler came barreling by...

exactly, the car in front of you will stop your momentum

or a bridge abatement

SM, check out this quick and easy solution check out www.zipgripgo.com

I am not sure we are going to survive in Texas. Very cold here....

Checking in from Cullman, Alabama. We are about an hour north of Birmingham. We had between 8, and 12 inches of snow. The city doesn't have any way of clearing the roads, so we closed Wednesday at 1, and just opened back up this morning.

I know you southern folk aren't used to the snow and cold so hopefully it warms up soon for you. We have had at least 13 days straight below zero and truthfully I might be wrong with that number because I lost count, and lots of snow. The other day the air temp was -20 with a wind chill of -36. Just don't ever remember a winter this bad in a very long time!
Stay Warm

I know everyone up North gets a kick out of how pathetic we become here in Texas when the temperature drop to 30 or more for a few days and we have to drive in some ice or snow! We admit it we don't get it, so we don't know what to do with it when we do get it! Schools are shut down, business close early when we have just see snow falling! It's serious for us! Well maybe I exaggerate on the snow flakes! I think you get my gist of things!

We've got 2 inches on the ground. All the branches are closed but of course corporate had to stay open. Not looking forward to my normally 35 minute commute taking well over an hour. Apparently the roads are pretty bad. Northerners don't understand how truly unprepared we are for snow/ice. Oh well. Round 2 of snow/ice tomorrow. Gonna hibernate until Monday!!

Be safe going home Okie!

Thanks HD. I plan on taking back roads. They'll be slick but should be devoid of idiots which is the most dangerous part of driving in winter weather!