Around the Cincinnati area, it’s definitely a combo of the two. The creepers are survivable until they get out of the right lane - and there are plenty of SUV drivers who think they are invulnerable because of size and AWD. And there are usually a few tailgaters in slippery conditions, too - these are usually 5-10 year old cars, for some reason.
As an aside, I am biased against SUV drivers because when I lived in New Hampshire, during any substantial snow there were ALWAYS one or two SUVs who blew the big turn on I-89 near the Henniker exit and wound up in the center ditch. I never saw any cars - just SUVs.
In Minneapolis, I’d say it’s more #1 than #2, but both are definately there.
People forget that their braking distance will be longer, that other people’s breaking distance will be longer, that four wheel drive doesn’t mean four wheel stop, that turning and breaking don’t make a good combination, that snowplows can create their very own white-out, that tire without good treads will suddenly be very noticable, etc…
Here in the land of rusty cars (Upstate NY) it’s both 1 and 2. And the problem exists all winter, not just with the first snowfall. Probably the reason they use so much salt on the roads here.
Where I’ve been, I think it meant that people had to sort of relearn how to drive on slippery streets, and, yes, were tentative while getting used to it again.
I’ve been South now for 12 years and would not want to encounter snow or ice again. In fact, we had an icy morning here recently and I simply stayed in until it melted. the kids, of course, were thrilled beyond belief, making sleds for the icy hills out of anything that was reasonably flat and non-fragile.
Still happens most snow storms. Last I read SUVs account for something like 70% of rollovers because the idiots driving them so often believe 4-WD makes them immortal. I do see cars in ditches too, though, out numbered three to one by SUVs, but yeah, car drivers are dumb too.
And add me to the it means both list. I think there’d be fewer accidents if #1s didn’t collide with #2s, actually.
And on the drive towards the capital, I encounter so many more people who are #2s in even the lightest rain. Concord drivers are even shittier*than Boston ones IMHO, so I guess I should be grateful for their caution. :rolleyes:
bear in mind this 1,200 car accidents a year with over $1,000 of damage happen in a city of less than 43,000 people.
I’ll admit to crawling along on 89 during my commute, because if the other guy feels confident in the snow, that’s what the passing lane is for. If there were a local route I would probably take it, but then again the highway is more likely to be cleared.
Just leave plenty of room when flying by in the passing lane.
I probably start out overly cautious and then gradually speed up until I’ve slid a little. Can’t always tell where the danger point is until you’ve reached it.