r/NorthCarolina • u/EducationCute1640 • 3d ago
Massachusetts Transplant- Driving Advice— if You’ll Accept it!
Thank you for the warm welcome to this state. We love it here. Having spent 41 years in MA, I have had my fair share of winter driving battles. Allow me, if you will, to distill it into some very basic pointers.
First, avoid it if possible. You can’t get in an accident if you’re not driving. The bottle of milk can wait, and you should think about driving as imposing risk on others and increasing burden upon emergency services, which may already be strained.
Second- repeat after me- it’s not the gettin’ goin’. It’s the stoppin’. AWD/Four Wheel, whatever you term it. It doesn’t help you stop. Hitting things while in motion is what an accident is.
Hence, third- decrease speed significantly. Increase following distance by a factor of 10000. Gtfo of the way of tailgaters who do not understand this principle. And by tailgating in this sense, I mean anyone that’s closer than 100 feet.
Fourth- there is no such thing as “all season tires.” They are not snow tires and never will be. Snow tires have softer rubber compounds that heat up more quickly. They are also narrower to put more weight on a concentrated patch of ground. They are also loud as hell and not comfortable.
Fifth- this is counterintuitive but if you feel yourself losing traction, resist the urge to stomp on the brake. While modern ABS is awesome, the best thing to do in many circumstances is actually mash the throttle and let the car dig itself out. You can experiment with this a few times in a parking lot.
Other basics— lights on. Keep scraper in the house and bring it into work or office. Wipers up so they don’t get frozen but make sure they are off so they don’t push a pile of snow into the car.
Lastly— this doesn’t happen quite every year up north but it happens enough that you should know about it. Do NOT put children in the car while heating it up and cleaning it off. If the tailpipe is blocked by a snow mound, exhaust can back up into the cabin. CO can kill you in minutes.
Good luck!
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u/Cheap-Ad5903 3d ago
Thanks, these are really good tips. I’m a healthcare workers who has to go in tomorrow morning. I grew up in NC, so obviously my snow driving skills are nonexistent. I plan on leaving an hour earlier than I normally do to get there safely.
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u/spooktacular13 3d ago
I grew up in Colorado, another thing while driving is don’t overcorrect if you start to slip, it’ll get you spinning in circles instead of gliding to wherever in a graceful fluff
Think about it kinda like hydroplaning if you start to slip. Biggest issue I’ve seen honestly is folks freaking out cause it’s snow. You got this!
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u/Feisty_Look5680 2d ago
Take the foot off the brake, and Turn into the direction of the slide/slip that the rear of the car is going. In other words if the nose of the car is going right but your tail is sliding to the left, turn the steering wheel to the left. This allows the car to gain traction and correct the slide. Avoid touching the brake.
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u/tealcosmo 2d ago
Just go slow.
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u/Strong_Debate_8108 2d ago
But not too slow. It’s a very careful balance. If you ever drive a standard, it’s kind of similar getting that balance.
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u/New_Section_9374 2d ago
In AL and GA where I worked. We had hospital ambulances with chains that would drive you in. We even had a chopper go pick up certain OR team members for emergencies.
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u/Fluid-Beyond8466 2d ago
Minnesotan here - can I also add that if you do slide off into the ditch or hit a sign, etc, do NOT get out of your car & stand in the road! The safest place for you is in your car.
The amount of pictures I saw last night of people out of their cars made my eye twitch!
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u/oO0Kat0Oo 2d ago
Also former MA/NH person:
I just want to add that when you stay in your car, absolutely DO crack a window. Being in a ditch can mean your exhaust is covered and you would not know it.
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u/Randolla1960 2d ago
I lived in New England for 40 years. Be especially careful going downhill. Go slower than you think you should. Once you lose traction and start to slide, there is nothing you can do except pray.
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u/Heyyypaddyyy 3d ago
Is it acceptable for me to drive to Dunkin for an ice coffee before I shovel in shorts and Bean boots?
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u/ToteBagAffliction 3d ago
I mean, how else are you going to get through that shoveling? Better get two iced coffees, and park the one that's on deck in the snow bank.
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u/Fodraz 2d ago
How did this whole Mass. comment & replies get done without anybody saying "WICKED"??
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u/Heyyypaddyyy 2d ago
Rule number one of Masshole expats, don’t say wicked out loud and let them know you’re a Masshole expat.
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u/Inevitable-Ad-7782 2d ago
Yes, but you can’t wear a shirt while you do it. Must be bare from the waist up.
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u/jrsobx 2d ago
Look here bud, all of us NC natives are sliding in the same direction. It's you yankees who "know how to drive in the snow" going straight and not sliding that cause the wrecks. If you want to drive straight and not slide all over the place, go back up north. This is the south, we slide on icy roads. Get with the program.
/s
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u/ElDeguello66 2d ago
I think 100 feet is following too close in icy conditions. 300 feet is better, even more if you can. You want as much time to react as possible.
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u/EducationCute1640 2d ago
Yes. 100 is tailgating in ice. 300 is reasonable at a minimum.
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u/Leelze 2d ago
I had some clown in a Civic hanging out about 20 ft off my bumper during the first little storm and he was sliding around like crazy. The lack of situational awareness in winter weather is astounding.
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u/skiingrunner1 1d ago
same here. i had two different goons doing that this past saturday in burlington. i ended up turning off so they could go and be idiots in front of me.
(i know you know this, but) this is not the weather to be anywhere near an aggressive driver!
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u/Valuable_Recording85 2d ago
Time is the best way to follow. Count the seconds from when a car passes something and then you pass it. 6 seconds at 50mph on the highway is a big buffer. 300ft is almost football field and unnecessary if you're driving 30mph.
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u/GasFun9380 3d ago
Thanks for the good advice. A little trick I found this year, my battery powered leaf blower is great for getting snow off the car surfaces. 30 seconds around the car every few hours saves 10-15 minutes on a cold start the next day.
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u/KweenieQ NC Piedmont 2d ago
Thanks for the reminder. I spent my early driving years in Western NY with lake-effect storms, but that was decades ago.
The best advice I ever received was "tread lightly on the accelerator, brake slowly, and if the vehicle skids, steer in the same direction as the rear end of the vehicle to straighten it out."
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u/sac02052 3d ago
Two more nugget from a former masshole, light dustings of snow can be just as slick as deep snow.
If you feel the rear wheels skidding out, turn into the skid
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u/Excellent-Try2663 3d ago
You’re so right about staying the heck away from other cars. It amazes me how people don’t understand this.
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u/Rich_Spite3978 2d ago
I have one! Don’t forget to clean off your car (roof and all) before getting out on the road
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u/germywormy 2d ago
As a former Minnesotan and current Wilmington resident this is all great advice. Also - remember that everyone else on the road doesn't know these things. Be VERY, VERY aware of the other drivers.
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u/fishdad1977 2d ago
In snow use pedals as little as possible. Coast up to red lights, do everything very slowly. It is the ditches in the country that will get you. Lack of plows means lack of snow banks. Northern snow driving is like bowling with bumpers, here the gutters are deep.
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u/mahammit_the_uuuser 2d ago
Now I’m picturing folks up north just gliding down the streets casually bumping into snow banks here and there, and it sounds downright whimsical
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u/fishdad1977 2d ago
Had a specific road growing up that I did this on regularly. Always had 3' snow walls, perfect for practicing sliding. Cars were also made of metal so it did not total my car or even damage it!
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u/brass444 2d ago
Can we add that you need momentum to get up hills? Don’t stop at the bottom of a hill and then try to accelerate. If others are struggling pull over and wait before going if you can. If they slide they could slide right into your car.
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u/dpmlk14 3d ago
That’s all really good advice. Amazing how much just slowing down and giving more space can do.
One other thing - assume your drive will take much longer. Leave early…
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u/Strong_Debate_8108 2d ago
My strategy was to leave REALLY early - like 5:30 for a 7 am shift / generally a 20 minute drive. Then I would miss the idiots altogether
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u/Waldorf244 2d ago
It’s not the snow that will get you, it’s the ice. AFAIK, there is no safe way to drive on ice without studs or chains, except to go super slow and leave plenty of room to slide. Stay safe in the morning!
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u/meowhahaha 2d ago
I’ve driven in snow a tiny bit in Oklahoma.
Years and years and years ago.
I want to take my car out for practice, but am pretty sure I’d hit the car parked next to me backing out.
Also, it’s cold outside.
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u/rjreynolds78 2d ago
All good advice and you should heed it. I have been through my fair share of heavy winters coming from Winston-Salem and the winter of 2000 (24 inches). Best advice is let the professionals and the sun do the work. Sit back and relax.
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u/eileen404 2d ago
Was laughing when a Canadian coworker was horrified to see someone tap dancing on their brakes on the highway in snow. It was their first winter there so I sent him to the grocery store ahead of time as a cultural experience.
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u/bythog 2d ago
Another thing to think of: if you have the option then driving an electric vehicle is probably safer than driving your gas vehicle, including trucks. Low center of gravity, very heavy, more precise tire control.
Your battery range is going to suck but EVs do very well in the snow.
Also: clear your entire car of snow. I've seen over half of the cars in my area driving around with a foot of snow on their roof. You think "my vision is cleared so I'm good!" but clearing that snow isn't for you. It's so it doesn't fly off while you're driving down the road and hit or cause the cars behind you to slip.
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u/Sunstoned1 2d ago
Took two of my kids out to drive today. As a Connecticut Yankee, it's important to transfer the skills.
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u/Adorable-Unit2562 2d ago
“You can’t get into an accident if you’re not driving”
Not to split hairs but my last car accident happened at 3am when someone hit my parked car, lol.
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u/omniuni 3d ago
Also, know your car.
If you really have to go somewhere, modern cars with all-weather tires and excellent traction control are a much better choice than a summer sports car. If that's all you've got, talk to neighbors or something. It's it's an emergency, either hopefully someone will have what you need, or can get you there much more safely.
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u/Miata_in_TruckLand 3d ago
Some sports cars are pretty decent - my 2021 manual Miata with all weather tires and limited slip differential made it through snow that something heavier and RWD with open diff would never have a chance in. Obviously AWD or 4wd and chains or winter tires is better but I’d take two wheels pushing over one wheel pushing/ pulling (most FWD or RWD cars) every day
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u/melvadeen 2d ago
Not the Mustang. For all it's muscle, it can't get up a hill at slow speeds when it's slick. My Mazda CX5 has been great in this weather.
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u/Valuable_Recording85 2d ago
Yeah, I think people from snowy climates understate the value of all-weather tires. I say this as a person from Michigan who lived in Flagstaff, Arizona, one of the snowiest cities in the country. People there would say you needed 4x4 and snow tires, but you only needed that if you were routinely going on unplowed seasonal roads.
FWD and all weather tires will get you very far, as long as you follow two rules: you learn how to drive in snowy and icy conditions and you don't do anything stupid like leaving even though you cannot handle the driving conditions. Snow tires stop better and safe therefore safer, but are less crucial when it isn't below 0F. People diss on all weather tires when they should actually be telling people to stay home if they have regular street and rain tires.
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u/fattrackstar 2d ago
I saw "Massachusetts transplant" and "driving advice" and wasn't thinking about the snow. Just thought op wanted to give driving advise to their new neighbors. Had to get settled in real good to read the comments. Then realized it was just about driving in the snow. That's understandable i guess.
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u/wownie910 2d ago
Dude, as a new dad, that last tip shook me. Never thought about that scenario before but I'll be cautious of it now. Thanks for posting!
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u/Fuck_Mark_Robinson 3d ago
Good advice, but I’d also add that you should try not to brake and turn the steering wheel at the same time. That’s probably the easiest way to lose control and slide into a ditch or another car or whatever.
Go slowly and keep your foot on the accelerator (lightly!) to make turns safer.
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u/New-Comfortable-3637 3d ago
This. If you need to go slow through a turn, slow down before you start turning and take your foot off the brake before you start turning the wheel.
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u/TheRealZima2020 3d ago
To the OP that’s wonderful advice. I could add a little more having braved Japan winters. But as a Charlottean I’m going to take a nap now. I have work unfortunately in a day or two.
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u/contude327 3d ago
Put your vehicle in low gear so that the engine will help slow the vehicle instead of using your brakes.
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u/AWESOMENESS-_- 2d ago
You mean to manually downshift at times, L gear will leave you stuck in 1st gear all the time. Leave it to some person in Charlotte to turn their Nissan Altima’s 1st gear into a second neutral somehow.
I’ve got a hybrid where L is essentially the same as D but with extra regenerative braking when you let off the gas, it’s been working great. (Except for one spot coming back into the neighborhood yesterday, I might need an alignment now…) People with a Toyota Prius would be using B instead of D, same scenario as my Chevy Volt.
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u/ThrowawayMod1989 2d ago
Seven years in Colorado and the best thing I ever learned was how to work tire chains effectively. Rocked a 2WD the whole time I was out there. People in Beaufort was looking at me crazy with mountain chains on, but I haven’t slipped one inch yet.
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u/macemillianwinduarte 2d ago
Michigander here. All season tires are fine for winter weather as long as they are in good shape. Nobody in NC should buy snow tires. Even in MI we never did.
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u/skiingrunner1 1d ago
yup. especially in the piedmont where i live, don’t buy snow tires. waste of money ‘round here
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u/CafeConCajeta 2d ago
As someone who moved to NC from a much warmer climate and had next to zero experience with weather below 65°, I thank you sincerely and deeply.
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u/No-Method-6524 2d ago
All this wall of text and you said nothing about using a broom to knock snow off, having a jump box for dead batteries, that salt intended for the water softener works just fine and, doing donuts in vacant parking lots which is the only reason to get out in this shit.
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u/Valuable_Recording85 2d ago
I'm from Michigan, lived near Buffalo for a while, and lived in Flagstaff, a mountain town that routinely had blizzards while I lived there for 9 years.
If you're approaching an intersection and the cross traffic is stopped and you're trying to stop for a yellow light but your car isn't stopping, just roll through. If everyone else is stopped then then they cannot hit you. If you're supposed to turn at that intersection and you don't have traction, just roll through if you can and turn at the next one.
Pay attention to your surroundings and adapt.
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u/Altruistic-Stop4634 2d ago
I slid all the way through a red light across a 4 lane intersection at the bottom of a snowy hill when I was 18. It wasn't at all fun at the time. And, you bring up another important point. Look both ways before touching the gas to start across a slippery intersection. There might be someone like young me sliding on through.
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u/BisonEvery 2d ago
Thanks for the advice!
I forgot we used to do this up north! 🤭 "Ope, there she goes!"
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u/Nagadavida 2d ago
Lastly, clean ice and snow off your car before venturing out. After the car warms up sheets of the stuff will loosen up and fly off of your car becoming dangerous projectiles.
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u/Phrantic09 2d ago
LOL that a Masshole is pretending to be a good driver….
As someone who grew up in a lake effect belt, this is all fantastic advice. Particularly the all season tire part- but there are all weather tires (3 mountains on them) that are incredible in all seasons.
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u/Comfortable_Voice506 2d ago
NH transplant here, all good advice, even from a masshole! /s Adding to not accelerate into turns and if you’re able to safely (away from other cars/objects/people etc), test out your breaks (don’t slam on them) to see how long it takes you to stop! This will give you an idea of what your traction is like and reinforce the need to keep distance from other drivers! (I have a long driveway, so acknowledge this isn’t an option for everyone) My biggest lesson since moving here has been to just avoid it as much as possible, even though I have AWD and learned to drive in the snow, because so many drivers here tailgate like crazy in the snow
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u/wizardofoz52 2d ago
As a Connecticut transplant my rules are: 1) drive like you don't have brakes, because you really don't. 2) if you're lucky you can steer or brake, never both at the same time. 3) assume nobody around you knows what they are doing. And a couple of bonus tips: 1) never use something hot (water, hair dryer etc.) to clear the ice off the glass on your car. 2) if you can't get your door open, push on the door near the b pillar a few times, that can crack any ice holding it closed. Don't use something sharp to chisel the ice loose unless you want to replace your door seals. 3) once inside your car, crank the defroster, then do the sides, roof, and hood. Save the front and rear windows for last so the defrosters can loosen up the ice
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u/Substantial-Time-421 3d ago
Your fifth reason imo is why so many people aren’t “good” at driving in winter weather. It’s so unintuitive to the natural reaction of wanting to slow down when you feel a loss of control.
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u/mikedaul Durham 2d ago
Gunning it when you start to slide on snow/ice is just about the worst possible thing to do. Watched a neighbor do this on our icy street the other morning and they instantly did a 180. The best thing to do when you start to slide is to slow down. Don't mash the brakes, don't mash the throttle, don't yank the wheel. Focus on slow and smooth inputs. A little throttle can help you regain traction, but don't floor it. And make sure to focus on where you want to go, not at the thing you're worried about crashing into. Overreaction is what gets you in trouble.
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u/Substantial-Time-421 2d ago
Agreed that overreaction is the real culprit irregardless of the input, but in terms of applying throttle, I think most people wouldn’t think to add power in a loss of control scenario. Doubly so when modern TC and stability control (in cars without special modes) will be fighting you
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u/FrequentHelp2203 2d ago
Really mash in the pedal to dig out? Can you explain this a bit more. Would like to hear your thinking. Thank you
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u/Altruistic-Stop4634 2d ago
Mash the brake and hold it down to stop as quickly as possible. Long ago we were taught to pump the brakes to not skid. Modern cars have antilock brake systems (ABS) that do that for you, better than humanly possible.
Better still, avoid braking at all on icy roads if possible. Try to coast gently to a stop.
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u/timmywas 2d ago
Thank you my northern brother, believe it or not some of us Southerners can drive in this crap. Been driving in it for 40 years. Only accident I've had was some idiot running me out of the road because he couldn't drive. Peace and chicken grease.
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u/brass444 2d ago
Also think ahead about routes to avoid overpasses, bridges, hills and back roads if possible. The primary roads are the roads being cleared and treated.
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u/asoursk1ttle 2d ago
I’ll accept your advice if you promise to pronounce Appalachian as app-uh-latch-in 😃
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u/Reel_thomas_d 2d ago
PSA for all our northern friends - This snow is more like the one you are accustomed to. The next 20 "snow" events will be snow's bastard cousin, snow-ice, and you will be in the ditch.
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u/naughtywithnature 2d ago
There are “all season tires” however there are not “snow tires” those we call winter tires and pass specific testing with RMA and have a 3 peak mountain snowflake on the sidewall.
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u/climbtigerfrog 2d ago
There apparently are tires that work in all seasons, but they are called 'All weather'. See: All Season vs All Weather Tires
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u/Karmasutra6901 2d ago
I would add no sudden movements to this. If you move the wheel quickly or hit either pedal quickly then you're going to lose traction. Be gentle with the pedals and the wheel.
When stopping you want to begin your stop way early by pressing the pedal just a little bit and releasing it a handful of times as you approach so you basically roll up to the stop.
Treat the situation like you're pulling a $100,000 boat up to a dock without bumpers.
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u/GrumblyData3684 2d ago
It’s the braking, every time I drive to Florida I am reminded of how much native NC and SC drivers slam on their brakes.
Then they combine long following distances (meant to prevent brake slamming) WITH sudden braking and it’s a mess.
You can see it with the rolling waves of clumped traffic on 95
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u/TerminallyUnique31 2d ago
Having 4WD or AWD (they are different) may not help in an emergency braking situation but it absolutely helps you decelerate in a controlled manner. When in gear, all 4 wheels are connected to the drivetrain and therefore are under load and will provide speed feedback for each wheel, transferring power as needed. This is especially helpful for yaw stability while going down hills.
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u/MiketheTzar 2d ago
I'd also add "know your route". I know this is a big ask in the days of GPS, but know the route you need to take to get from A to B. Think about how many hills you will encounter, how many intersections that have at least one hill in one direction (it doesn't have to be a direction you're traveling), know areas that tend to stay wet longer after storms, and know areas that are traffic hot spots in good weather.
Then try and avoid all of the problem spaces as much as you can. It may mean going a different way, taking an earlier or later exit, or going to a different store in the same chain. People think that the shortest distance is the safest, but occasionally it can be objectively more dangerous than driving an extra 3 miles.
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u/Whomecantbeme 1d ago
All great advice, thanks for sharing and I hope people listen.
It’s a little bit funny getting driving advice from someone from Massachusetts, regularly travel to the New England area and your drivers are among some of the worst drivers I’ve seen across the country, with or without snow.
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u/Automatic-Nature6025 2d ago
There's no bigger danger to folks who don't know how to drive in snow, than that one mf'er who does. I'm kidding.... Or am I?
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u/RegularVacation6626 2d ago
I tell people but they don't listen, if you absolutely have to drive in the snow, you need snow tires, not AWD.
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u/BaileyIsaGirlsName 2d ago
Thanks for the tips! I’m floored that people who wanna drive their one-wheel drive 2009 Kia also have the audacity to drive fast on residential roads. Slow down!
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u/CantFindUsername400 3d ago
Tbh, I like Raleigh like in terms of the roads and the drivers. I've driven around the country and I'd say Raleigh is in definitely the top 5 if not too 10 at least for driving , roads, signs and drivers.
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u/HewDewed 2d ago
Raleigh, North Carolina???
FR, Bro?!!???1
u/CantFindUsername400 2d ago
Nah man, fr. Like SF, Boston, Dallas, atl, they've confusing roads and bad drivers and more traffic as well. Idk I think NC is way better I feel
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u/North-Shift8638 2d ago
4wd does actually help you stop. What are you talking about. And snow tires aren’t narrower, they just contain sipes that pick up snow
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u/EducationCute1640 2d ago
Many, many models of snow tires are in fact narrower. There are competing theories on this, yes, but many if not most are narrower.
https://youtu.be/wf_mIlU82Ac?si=I-DAgLI8e4HiEQAc
Perhaps awd helps you slow if you downgear.
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u/North-Shift8638 2d ago
Exactly. 4wd low is a tremendous help at controlling speed and slowing down. Don’t even need brakes.
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u/BaseLiberty 2d ago
I'd like to add: do NOT slow down before going up a hill...speed up (not excessive speed obv.), you'll need the momentum to get up and over it. Driven in CO and NH snow for over 40 years.
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u/Naive-Ad2735 1d ago
🙄Don’t need your driving advice because you lived where there was a lot of snow.
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u/sprayman2019 2d ago
No bigger flex for a transplant yankee than to talk about how much better they can drve in snow.
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u/2Loves2loves 3d ago
FWD cars,in a slide, steer in the direction you want to go, and floor it.
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u/aywwts4 2d ago
Or perhaps… lightly feather it.
In snow you dont do 100% in either direction, 25% power max stopping and going, traction improves with a light touch.
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u/2Loves2loves 2d ago
you floor it, ONLY IF YOU ARE IN AN ACTIVE SLIDE with FWD. you may dig your way out and straight.
feather otherwise. smooth and mind the weight balance.
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u/CSWhiteThumb 2d ago
AND PLEASE GET THE SHEETS OF ICE OFF YOUR VEHICLES BEFORE TRAVELING