Why the UK Can’t Deal With a Snow Shower

Every year that we get snow, the country invariably grinds (or slides) to a halt. To pass a driving test here, all we have to do is master the “ten to two” steering wheel position and mirror, signal, manoeuvre.

In other countries—most notably Finland, amongst many others—people who wish to take full control of over a tonne of metal capable of speeds well in excess of 100 MPH must prove that they understand the basic physics of such a feat first. They must undergo intensive high speed skid-pan training and master evasive manoeuvres before they are allowed anywhere near a public road. They also, by law, have to have a set of winter tyres for their cars so that they can actually drive properly. This means that not only are the drivers actually much more worthy of throwing their huge, heavy, potential murder machines past each other, they are actually capable of driving on snow and ice and they have decent tread on their tyres. Drivers are also expected by law to take refresher tests when they hit a certain age to ensure they are still mentally capable of driving safely and well.

Here, the majority of drivers use the kerbs to guide themselves into parking spaces, couldn’t tell you what “opposite lock” means, wouldn’t have a clue if their car is front or rear wheel drive (and so aren’t able to adapt their driving style successfully to suit the conditions) and are allowed to drive right up until they decide it would be a good idea to drive up the wrong side of the motorway to visit Mabel (who died ten years ago)—how on earth are we as a country expected to cope with mildly slippery conditions? Most people here drive about on their “slippy ditchfinder” bargain tyres and basically haven’t fit a clue how to control a car. If we actually had to learn to control a car properly and our cars had decent treaded tyres on to suit the seasons then it would all go much more smoothly!