As someone who spent 20 years plowing snow in the private sector, I'm going to come to the defense of PennDot. When there is a lot of traffic on the road, which there was because it was rush hour when the snow started, it's hard to do a thorough job of clearing the roads. Add a few disabled cars and semi's to the mix and it becomes nearly impossible. That hill on I-83 is a challenge for a big rig in good weather. They hit that hill at the start of a storm and can't make it up. Then PennDot comes through and tries to plow with vehicles in their path. Then there is the issue of the schools not cancelling class when they knew this storm was imminent. Now we have a couple hundred buses on the road to further aggravate the situation. They can't do the job and folks blame it on the crew when there are other factors involved. People get out on the road in their SUV's and think they can do anything because they have 4WD or AWD (with "all season radials" instead of good snow tires) then blame the road crew for doing a lousy job. Over the course of the 20 years I plowed snow, I pulled scores of these vehicles out of a ditch when, in their arrogance, they slid off the road and couldn't get out. OK. Rant off.
Snow tires make a world of difference. Can't tell you how many SUVs, pickups, etc I used to pass in a ditch (after stopping to see if I could help!) when I was commuting a 120 mile round trip in my little Civic with good snow tires. Not counting ground clearance, it did better in snow and on ice than my half ton Chevy with all seasons.
Enjoying mid 70s here in Northern California. It is little chilly on the moto in the morning and had to throw on my big jacket. We need the rain BAD, but enjoying the sun for now!
Ya know...the one time they dont pretreat the roads....its the time that bit them. I dont think they did didly all day before rush hour...then they hire these SEASONAL DRIVERS that dont have a clue. Never saw the roads as rough n choppy as they were this past snow. They screwed up...plain n simple!
Ya'll stay safe out there. Icy roads and inclement weather are a pain. Hope it lets up for you guys soon.
Up here in NH we don't have many problems getting around, the state plow the state roads, and the town does their own roads. These guys know what they're doing and take pride in it. It's in our financial interest to do so. We need the skiers and snowmobilers from Mass. up here to spend their money. Plus most folks do have 4 wheel drive, but most are idiot drivers.
I'm putting snow t Well things must have been different in your neck of the woods. Every road I was on the day before the storm, that the state is responsible for, was pretreated. You can't miss those dark lines on the road after they've come through. But I've said my peace. Folks can take it as they wish. I'm done.
We get storms that measure in the 2 to 3 foot snowfall a lot. Usually Feb. & March, the plows keep the road open open for travel, not down to pavement, but open. Would I go on the interstate, no. To easy to be trapped between exits due to an accident or multiple car spinout. There are a ton of pickup plows out then making their money, so there is a good amount of folks out. I love driving in blizzards and will find any excuse to do so.
I my area they were predicting on temps to rise into the upper 30's by 6PM. It didn't happen. The rain didn't melt the snow as predicting by weather people. Mother nature did it's thing and the rest is history. It only takes one car/truck/SUV to go 5MPH up a long steep hill and get stuck to cause a 100 car back up. Luckily my usual 20 minute commute to and from work only took 30 minutes.
