Warp wrote:
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMzeiMJQrvk
> 
>   I have heard that in many places in the US they don't even know about
> the concept of winter tires (such as studded tires, which are used in
> Finland in winter), even at places where it snows. Seeing videos like
> this one seems to confirm this.
> 
>   In some countries studded tires are prohibited by law (all year round)
> because they wear the road faster. Well, I suppose it's better to have
> tons of car accidents than having to repave once in a while.
> 
As others have said it is just not likely people will to buy snow gear 
for one or two storms. Though personally I could see maybe have some 
tire chains around.  Kind of like overshoes. Also it looked that those 
conditions were particularily severe and on a slope. Growing up in 
Hamilton Ont., it was a little snowier back in the day but also Hamilton 
folks bought studded tires routinely because the Niagara Escarpment runs 
right through the city and there was nothing more embarassing for a 
hometown motorist than to get stuck on the 'Jolly Cut' going up the 
escarpment.
I was out in something like the conditions in the video one night last 
winter.  The amazing thing was it took very little snow. When I picked 
up a group heading for Bklyn there was no snow.  By the time I made 
three turns and was on the ramp of the Manhattan Br. the snow was nearly 
blinding.  By the time I got to Ft Greene, the conditions were perfect 
for the snow to pack down into maybe a few millimeters of ice.    And of 
course finding a NYC fleet-owned Crown Vic with good tires would be a 
rare thing. It's a weird thing to feel the ABS kick in at 3 mph.
Which is another point.  I think with the newer smart braking and 
transmission systems in cars, people feel less need for heavy duty tires 
in winter.

P.S.
So I am teaching a Defensive Driving course a week or so back.  We get 
to the topic of 'things that can cause collisions'  We are reviewing 
'environmental conditions that can cause collisions'  I am asking the 
class about the road surface and what can make it slippery.  One guy 
puts up his hand and very enthusiastically suggests 'banana peels?' He 
was from either West Africa or West Indies. I honestly didn't know if he 
was serious.  I try to fudge it.  "Man you're killing me.  Banana 
peels?"  He got very offended.  Apparently he was serious.

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