How to drive in snow

This is how a lot of people WANT to drive in snow.  But you don't have the trucks and the spiked tires these guys have.  I grew up in Ohio as a kid, cheering as my dad did donuts in the car (when my mom wasn't in it).  I started driving myself in Boise, Idaho, and I LOVE driving in snow.  Since we're getting 3" to 4" of it today here in Central North Carolina, here are my tips on how to drive in snow SAFELY.

1.  Put a bunch of weight in your trunk or back of your truck or SUV.  The absolute best thing you can do to help your driving in snow is to add weight over the rear wheels.  My dad used to put two or three 50 pound bags of rock salt in the trunk in the winter.  The extra weight over your rear wheels (if they're the drive wheels) gives you more traction and control.  Here in NC, get two or three 50 pound bags of dog food or kitty litter and put them in the back of your truck or SUV.  When winter is over, donate them to an animal shelter.  If you have a front wheel drive car, you can't put weight right over the front wheels.  But extra weight, in the back seat or trunk, will still help some.  Or ask your fat friends to ride along for the day.

2.  Keep a BIG gap (5 to 8 seconds) between you and the vehicle in front of you.  This is CRITICAL.  If they do something stupid or slide, this gives you time to react and stop or avoid them.

3.  Hit the gas and brake pedals SOFTLY.  My dad used to tell my mom to pretend there was an egg under the pedals.  Unfortunately, my mom would make "scrambled eggs."  Hit the gas slowly and steadily, and accelerate slowly.  Same thing with the gas, hit it slowly and steady.

4.  Don't touch your phone.  Don't even look at it.  Put it in the glove box or something.  Pay attention to your driving.

5.  Practice driving in snow.  Every car or truck handles differently in snowy conditions.  You learn how your car handles in snowy conditions by trying it out IN A SAFE AREA.  Go out into an empty, snowy parking lot.  Drive straight at 10 to 15 mph, and SLAM on the brakes.  See what happens.  Then to it again and turn the wheels one way or the other.  Then do it again, and let go of the steering wheel when you hit the brakes.  Of course, make sure there is nothing nearby to hit.  Once you got the idea of what happens when you slam on the brakes, try doing some donuts.  Turn the wheel and gas it for a moment.  If things get dicey, ease off the gas.  Practice starting out from a dead stop and accelerating slowly.  See what works best.  Every time you turn or slide the car, stop and look around.  Make sure there are no people or obstacles nearby before you try another thing.  By doing this, your learn how your car or truck handles, and you build your confidence in snowy conditions. 

6.  Avoid icy roads.  You can drive in snow, and on snow over ice if you're careful.  But it's almost impossible to handle a car on pure ice.  Unless you have spiked tires like the trucks in the video above.  I imagine you don't.  So avoid ice.