Winter Driving: City Streets vs. Highways

[Jucius Maximus]

When there is a snow storm and really bad conditions, do you take the highways or the streets?

Highways have some advantages since there are no intersections where someone can come sliding through a stop sign and t-bone you. Also, with so many people on the highways, they tend to clear themselves somewhat.

But on city streets, the speeds are lower so there's less chance of getting rear-ended. Lower speeds are generally better in poor conditions Also if there is some major traffic accident, you won't be sitting there in your car for 6 hours while they clean up and re-open the road.

[TenzoR]

To be honest, it makes no difference, people will drive slow in bad weather. I had drive out during really nasty winter storm last winter, I had to take both the local and highway. If I were to choose, I prefer the highway, just because there are no stop light. It's bad especially when the stop light is on the hill.

[mebiuspower]

Take the 407.

Same type of moron who drives on the street will also drive on the 401. Makes no difference really.

[untaka]

If it is really bad I tend to take the city more often because I find people can't try to be stunt car drivers because there is more slower traffic. Sure its more stop and go but I find it is a lot safer if you are driving safe and keeping well aware. On the highway all it takes is some turd who thinks his car can handle the conditions easily (which ALWAYS happens) and go sliding.

On our first little snow fall here, I actually saw 2 accidents happen on the highway due to douchbagness, plus I saw lots of douchbags weaving traffic and thinking they are invisible.

However I did see accidents on the street but most of them were people rearending someone else, hitting a pole or divider (when making a turn that place where pedestrians stand) or ending up in a ditch.

If I'm going to be in an accident I would rather have someone rear end me rather then slam into me on the highway.

[ES_Revenge]

But on city streets, the speeds are lower so there's less chance of getting rear-ended.
Rear end accidents are caused more by people simply not paying attention than not being able to stop. I'm sure some are caused by slippery surfaces but you're probably more likely to be rear-ended on a dry summer day, where someone just isn't paying attention.

Also IMO you're more likely to get rear ended on a city street than the highway. I've rarely seen highway rear-end accidents. Not saying they don't happen (I could be wrong here) but I've seen a lot more rear-endings happen on city streets (where you are often fully stopped for some time, because of traffic lights).

If we're talking about roads that have been salted/cleared (or at least semi-cleared) I'll take the highway. If we're talking about totally uncleared roads, I'd probably rather take the city streets.

What sucks about GTA city streets though is that people tend to go 1km/h when they see 1mm of snow, so it'll take you forever to get anywhere with all the lights :(

Lower speeds are generally better in poor conditions Also if there is some major traffic accident, you won't be sitting there in your car for 6 hours while they clean up and re-open the road.
That's a good point. Highway accidents are perhaps less common but when they do occur they are usually pretty big accidents. In poor conditions several cars may become involved and that will certainly make for a road closure, which will leave you stopped dead as you say.

[Piro21]

Highways are a more organized driving environment than city streets, and require less effort than constant stop and go traffic. A lot of people also seem to avoid them in really bad snowstorms, so the less people around you means less people that can screw up and hit you.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

I voted for no difference, I'd explain myself, but others have already done the explaining already.

[l69norm]

Highways are a more organized driving environment than city streets, and require less effort than constant stop and go traffic. A lot of people also seem to avoid them in really bad snowstorms, ...

Some people don't like to deal with the slow-moving snow plow "congo" lines and the big windrows that they leave behind.

[ukgirl]

highways. Last winter was my first and driving on the city streets scared the hell out of me... so many opportunities for accidents (sliding, fish tailing etc). The scariest time for me was starting again after being stopped coz the cars seems to slide all over the place.

That said, I wasnt really scared because like someone said above, you are going so slow that all you would have is a fender bender anyway compared with on the highway.

One thing I wondered - my car doesnt have rear windshield wipers... do all cars in Canada? I had major issues not being about to switch lanes and see behind in the thick snow.

[Anonymouse]

I think the highways are statistically safer.


One thing I wondered - my car doesnt have rear windshield wipers... do all cars in Canada? I had major issues not being about to switch lanes and see behind in the thick snow.

In general, what we do is sweep the snow off with a brush before we start out, then use the heating wires that are on the inside of the glass to keep it clear.

[ukgirl]

I think the highways are statistically safer.



In general, what we do is sweep the snow off with a brush before we start out, then use the heating wires that are on the inside of the glass to keep it clear.

hmmm... i thinking maybe mine dont work then... I have my car in an underground garage so they come out to the street clear but last year I was really in trouble in a snowstorm.thanks for the info.

[hytong]

depends on route traffic and visibility, cities like GTA makes no difference in rush hour
if traffic is same, it is easier/more rewarding to drive in city where you get to turn sharper and stop at slower speed, 2 lane often become 1 lane, more snow banks to run off but less predicable surface, occasionally some breathing room after clearing a micro bottle neck, highway traffic is more stable in heavy storm, higher risk but less chance of getting into trouble, best case is when only the right lance is cleared and left lane is empty

[hagbard]

Clearly another poll directed to those in Toronto without saying such. Still think you guys are the centre of the universe don't you? Here, clearly the highway is a better place to be., but I wouldn't want to be on the 401 going through Toronto during a snow storm.

[skidz88]

Highways. Less snow buildup than on city streets, plows are out faster as well. Fewer people driving like morons, all the twitchy and nervous drivers tend to just stay off. No chance of being nailed in the rear while waiting at a red light. Even a minor fender bender would drive me crazy after all the hard work and care I put into my car.

On city streets my car is low enough that it just plows heavy snow and in general it's just a pain to drive it in bad snowy weather, even with winter tires.

[Anonymouse]

hmmm... i thinking maybe mine dont work then... I have my car in an underground garage so they come out to the street clear but last year I was really in trouble in a snowstorm.thanks for the info.

I apologize if you already know this, but there is typically a switch to turn the defroster on. They usually look like this:
http://flashoffroad.com/features/PartsCrossRef/image/WndShldDefrst.jpg