Surprise! After a mild Winter in 2015, we are now paying for it.

I almost forgot how to use a snow shovel. This recent snowstorm quickly reminded me. And that brings me to a weather related subject - driving in snow.

Every year, it seems some of us forget, that in most cases, you can't stop a vehicle on a dime when the roadway is snow or ice covered. Bare pavement? Sure. Snow and ice? Unless you want to see the back end of the vehicle in front of you from the inside, then no.

I almost experienced that early Monday morning. It was around 3am (don't ask what the hell I was doing driving in a blinding snowstorm in the middle of the night) and I was stopped at a red light on Main Street, Binghamton. Looking in my rear view mirror, I saw headlights and a vehicle closing in.

As it got about 100 feet away, I knew it was going too fast for the condition of the road. Unfortunately for me, the traffic light was still red, and it appeared the driver was hitting the brakes, probably realizing he/she was about to hit my car. Snow covered roads will do that to most vehicles.

Since there was no cross-traffic, I hit the gas pedal, and went through the traffic light. Good thing I did, because by the time that car came to a complete stop, it was exactly where I was, except his/her car ended up sideways due to the skidding.

The moral of the story? When the road has snow, ice or both, assume that it's slippery and in addition to driving a bit slower, brake earlier than normal. Otherwise after submitting the damage your insurance company, they'll probably be more than glad to up your monthly payments. And that's just the beginning of your troubles.

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