Snow on the way!

I'm sure most people in the areas which regularly get a lot of snow in the UK will be prepared. Do give us some credit, granjura!

Yes, if you live in the North you not only have a flat cap and a whippet, but you carry a shovel ( thrown nonchalantly over the shoulder) and you also whistle at all times.

Not got the link here, but have lived in the UK long enough to know that most people in the UK are not, truly. As said, in the South where snow is rare, then I can truly understand, In the areas listed- accoring to the RAC and the AA- the % of people equipped with snow tyres is absolutely minuscule. Do you never watch the news? Have you never been on the roads with 100s of cars, vans and lorries stuck in snow.

Merlot, we have a very high 4x4, and yes, I can see if someone is texting in a van, and you can guess with the head posture and arm position - even with a lorry- when I am not driving but in passenger seat! Believe me, or not.

A van, very possibly, but a lorry...?

Anyway, we'll sort our own snow crises in our own way.

With our shovels

I hestitate to mention another thread, gj but you said the lorry was overtaking you in the fast lane (which is illegal so they don't do it) and you could see him looking down and texting.

You were in the passenger seat?

You should offer your services to the motorway police.

And our trusty hobnailed boots - failing which, a pair of woolly socks over the top of our shoes...

You are so right Merlot- I got the wrong terminology- he was overtaking in the faster lane, eg the middle one. His head position, looking down at 'knees', hand off the wheel and arm down, and the regular glancing up to check the road, made it quite clear what he was doing. Why do you deny this happens? Here is what happens:

The family of a student killed in a horrific motorway crash caused by a lorry driver texting at the wheel have told of the ‘nightmare’ of losing her.

Jemma O’Sullivan, 22, died after the van in which she was a passenger was hit from behind by a heavy goods vehicle being driven by Christopher Kane, 67.

He had been composing text messages – one of which required 117 key strokes – while driving at 55mph.

Aye, we think nowt o' a bit o' snow here, why, one time ah walked six mile when t' snow were four feet deep carrying a stray sheep on me head.

From the RAC:

A recent study for Manheim Auctions has revealed that the vast majority of motorists in the UK do not plan to buy specialist tyres for this year's winter period.

Despite the predictions of another winter of chaos on the roads and disruptions caused by snow last year, 95.5% of the 3,000 motorists quizzed by One Poll said they do not plan to use winter tyres this year.

Now I'd say 95.5% is pretty high - or 4.5% VERY low.

Four feet? That were nothing...many's the time I've trudged through drifts ten foot deep , carrying two stray sheep on me 'ead and a couple under each arm...

Did I deny this happens?

Most lorry drivers are experienced competent drivers and do not go out with the intention of endangering lives. It's their livliehood so why would they jeapordize it?

Of course there may be some inconsiderate ones but I've seen plenty of van and car drivers on their phones and they are far more dangerous because they don't have the advantage of a very high driving position which gives a better field of vision.

Aye, and me too, also holdin' a rope between me teeth and pulling along t'bull, which ad been stuck in a twenty foot drift,when ah got back 'ome Father 'ad to thaw me out on t'range,ah were frozen from cap to clogs!

Merlot oh dear:

far more dangerous because they don't have the advantage of a very high driving position which gives a better field of vision.

but the have the huge weight of the vehicle and content- and cause a lot more damage, havoc and loss of life when things go wrong. This is NOT inconsiderate- it is criminal. Surely you don't mean to excuse lorry drivers who text, with the above. Please.

Yes, Ana, I have too- only here we carry cows on our heads- not mere sheep- on skis and all.

Well, I've asked elsewhere and the replies are clear re snow tyres from Brits around here. One Scottish guy says he knows of no-one in Scotland who has snow tyres, one woman from North Yorkshire says the only one who has is the local taxi driver- others say none.

Are the cows on skis or you. * granjura*?

Clogs? You were lucky...I'd to trudge barefoot over miles and miles of snow-covered brambles herding stray livestock as best I could in the blizzard and not a word of thanks from Father, he were spark out in the midden after sampling the home-brew...

You 'ad a midden?!!

Well, I say midden, it was more of a cess-pit, like. No airs and graces for us!

just depends- sometimes I am, sometimes they are - depends on the type of snow. If it is the 'wrong kind of snow' as in the UK, then it's the other cow ;) - depends is she is texting too.

What other cow?

Ana tha's too posh by 'alf, we 'ad to go behind a bush!

... just thought you'd enjoy it

As said, totally get that people in the South of England or even Midlands won't invest in snow tyres- but don't get it for North Yorks, High Peaks, Borders, etc. Front wheel drive and snow tyres are true life savers.

Luxury! We 'ad a straggly old nettle clump and sometimes we couldn't even find that in thirty foot of snow! Frozen nethers were par for the course down our way - chilblains where you never thought you could get 'em...