At last the snow has started and we are starting to find out why there are 'snow plow' signs on all of the streets. I haven't actually had to drive in the snow yet, but I am going to have to sooner or later. Many of our students who became drivers this year, are talking about their first attempts to drive in the snow and admitting that they find it a bit challenging.
Advice abounds. Drive normally. Drive much more carefully. Pump your brakes. Don't pump your brakes. Take you foot off the gas if you skid. Put your foot gently on the gas so that you can drive out of the skid.
The most difficult thing to deal with so far? Where to park the car when a snow emergency is called and snow plows (yes that's the spelling) must have access. The rules are simple. The first night, from 9 p.m. until about 6 a.m: No Parking on Night Plow Routes until the street is plowed to the 'curb'. You can however park on the non night plow route of residential streets (one side of the street that is helpfully not marked at all). The following day, from 8 a.m. until about 5 p.m: No Parking on Day Plow Routes until the street is plowed to the curb. Except you can park on the side marked Night Plow on residential streets which run north-south. You can't park during the day on streets which run east to west. Clear?
As someone wearily remarked... 'You have to be born in Minnesota to understand it.' I wasn't remotely surprised to learn via the local news channel that on Day One of the Snow Emergency the city towed over 700 cars. So it's not just me scratching my head over the rules.
Still... the snow really does make if feel as if Christmas is coming.
