Ep. 53 - Driving in Snow (And How it's More Challenging than Rain!)

Randy shares a vivid story from a Florida-to-Wisconsin road trip: somewhere near Louisville, the snow started falling and drivers started panicking. It happens every year, everywhere—not just in the South. This episode breaks down the mindset, preparation, and techniques for safe snow driving.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
• The "egg on a spoon" technique for smooth acceleration and braking
• Snow tires vs. all-season: when each matters most
• Why AWD doesn't help you stop (only accelerate)
• The two big mistakes: driving too fast AND too slow
• How to recover from a slide without overcorrecting
• When chains are legally required on mountain passes
• Emergency kit essentials for winter driving
• Why you should practice sliding in empty parking lots

Randy draws from experience living in Kansas City, Las Vegas, and Seattle, plus annual Wisconsin winter trips. He explains the critical difference between being timid and being calculated, and why there are only two types of snow drivers: those who've slid off the road, and those who haven't yet.

Includes visibility tips that connect to Episode 54's deep dive on headlights and taillights.

Chapters

• 0:00 Cold Open - Snow vs. Rain
• 0:07 Intro: Ep 54- Driving in Snow
• 0:18 Why is Snow so Dangerous?
• 1:11 Black Ice
• 1:18 Slow Down
• 3:14 Space Management in Snow
• 4:20 Avoid Sudden Movements
• 5:00 DO NOT Drove in these Comditions

Transcript

🎙️ Episode 53: Driving in Snow

❄️ Cold Open:

“We were heading north from Florida to Wisconsin. Somewhere near Louisville, the snow started falling — and the drivers started panicking. I thought: ‘Here we go.’ It’s the same every year — not just in the South, but everywhere. So today, let’s talk about what it really means to drive in the snow.”

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🎵 [Intro music plays]

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Welcome back to Mastering the Commute, Your 6 minute traffic fix… This is Episode 53 Don’t Spin Out: How to Drive in the Snow Safely

🚘 Segment 1: Where You Are—and Where You’re Going—Matters

Whether you live in snow year-round or you’re just visiting it, your approach to snow driving needs to shift. I live in Florida now, but I’ve also lived and driven in places like Kansas City, Las Vegas, and Seattle—and I’ve visited Wisconsin almost every winter since meeting my wife. Every time we cross into the Midwest during the colder months, it’s like switching to a whole new set of driving rules.

when someone says “people here can’t drive in the snow,” they’re not wrong — but they’re also not unique.

That means you have to be the one to adapt.

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🧠 Segment 2: Snow Driving Mindset — It’s All About Space and Awareness

Let’s start with what’s in your head before what’s on the road.

Last week, In Episode 52, we talked about how rain changes everything — snow adds a new level of unpredictability. Traction, braking distance, visibility, and momentum all get compromised.

Here’s the mindset shift:

Driving in snow is less about what’s around you, and more about what’s coming next.

You want to drive with a mindset of buffer + patience.

✅ Tips to lock in this mindset:

• Plan ahead. If it’s snowing heavily, leave 15–30 minutes earlier or delay your trip. Give yourself permission to slow down.

• Avoid sudden actions. No sudden acceleration, braking, or sharp turns. Treat the gas and brake like you’re balancing an egg on a spoon.

• Stay off cruise control. Especially if it’s icy or slushy — you want full manual control in case you need to adjust quickly.

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🛞 Segment 3: Know Your Vehicle — Tires, Traction, and More

Different vehicles handle snow differently. Your small sedan isn’t going to drive like an SUV with snow tires. And even if you have a four-wheel-drive truck, that doesn’t make you invincible.

✅ Key differences and must-knows:

• Snow tires vs. all-season: Snow tires have deeper tread and stay softer in the cold. If you live in a snowy region, they’re essential.

• Chains: If you’re driving in mountainous areas like California’s I-80 or Colorado’s I-70, chains may be legally required. Look for posted signs or check DOT websites.

• AWD ≠ magic: All-wheel drive helps you accelerate but won’t help you stop. That’s still up to your brakes, tires, and space.

🔧 Bonus tip:

Keep an emergency kit in the car: blanket, gloves, scraper, flashlight, water, and maybe a bag of cat litter for traction if you get stuck.

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🐢 Segment 4: The Two Big Mistakes — Driving Too Fast and Too Slow

This is where people get it wrong on both ends. Let’s break it down.

🚗 Mistake #1: Driving too fast

It’s snowing, but the freeway is still moving at 70 mph. Suddenly one car spins out, and it turns into a pileup.

Speed in snow is deceptive — it might feel fine until you have to react.

✅ What to do instead:

• Drop your speed 10–20 mph below normal, especially if roads are untreated.

• Watch the brake lights two or three cars ahead of you, not just the one in front.

• Look for trouble early: Bridges freeze first. Curves hide ice. Hills invite slippage.

🐌 Mistake #2: Driving too slow

On the other hand, I’ve been behind drivers doing 20 mph in the middle lane when conditions didn’t warrant it. If you’re going much slower than the flow, you become a hazard.

✅ What to do instead:

• Use the right lane if you feel unsure. That’s the best place to go slower safely.

• If you’re more than 20 mph slower than traffic, use hazard lights — but only if conditions are severe.

• Don’t slam on brakes if someone is coming up behind you — ease off the gas and gently correct if you feel sliding.

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⚠️ Segment 5: Slipping, Sliding, and Recovery

If you’ve never lost traction, it’s terrifying the first time.

Let’s demystify it:

• If your car starts to slide — don’t panic, don’t overcorrect.

• Take your foot off the gas. Don’t slam the brake.

• Steer gently in the direction you want the front of the car to go. That’s called “steering into the skid,” but a better phrase is “steering to re-align.”

✅ Bonus tip: Practice in an empty parking lot on a snowy day (if it’s safe and legal to do so). Learn what your car feels like when it starts to slip. That muscle memory could save your life later.

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🔦 Segment 6: Visibility — Lights, Wipers, and Distance

One of the scariest parts of snow driving is not being able to see. Your reaction time can’t help you if you don’t see what’s happening.

✅ Snow visibility checklist:

• Turn on your headlights — every time. Even if it’s daytime and you can see fine, others might not see you.

• Clean your taillights. Snow buildup can block them completely.

• Replace wiper blades every year, and use washer fluid rated for freezing temps.

• Increase following distance from 3–4 seconds to 6 or more. That’s your safety cushion.

⚠️ And don’t forget: Just because your lights are on inside the car doesn’t mean your taillights are on.

That’s going to be a big focus of Episode 54.

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🚨 Segment 7: Hazard Lights — Use with Caution

A reminder from Episode 52 on rain: hazard lights are not for when it “just starts snowing.”

They’re meant for:

• Pulled over on the shoulder

• Visibility issues (like whiteout)

• Driving significantly slower than traffic on a road where everyone is going 50–60 and you’re doing 20–30

Using hazard lights unnecessarily can confuse other drivers, especially in snow when lane lines are hard to see.

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🛑 Segment 8: Know When to Stay Home

It’s OK to cancel plans if the weather looks bad.

We live in a world where remote work and rescheduling is more acceptable than ever. There’s no shame in skipping a drive if you don’t feel confident in your car, your skills, or the conditions.

There are only two types of drivers in snow:

Those who’ve gotten stuck or slid off the road, and those who haven’t yet.

Make the choice that keeps you and everyone else safe.

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🎧 Closing

Driving in snow doesn’t have to be a panic attack waiting to happen. It just takes space, patience, and respect for physics.

I’ll leave you with this thought:

“You’re not trying to win the commute — you’re trying to survive it.”

Take it slow, plan ahead, and if you’re driving from a warm climate to a snowy one this winter, give yourself time to adjust.

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🔁 Outro (standard CTA)

If this reminded you of a moment in the snow, or you have a story to share, email me at freewaytrafficexpert@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you.

Follow me Social media @Mastering thkcommute on Facebook, on YouTube, where I post shorts of podcast highlights.

Check out our podcast home and grab your free copy of my Ebook Drive Smarter Now at DriveSmarterNow.com.

And remember — keep the ice outside, and the calm inside.

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