Rain or Snow - Which is More Dangerous to Travel On?

Have you ever wondered whether it's more dangerous to drive on the road during the rain or the snow? Well, so have I. The following reflects my opinion as to which one is more difficult to travel on.

SNOW

Initially, you might think that it's more dangerous to drive on the roads when it's snowing than when it's raining. After all, with snow, you get ice and with ice, the roads and walkway become slippery. Indeed, the conditions can be more dangerous because sometimes you not only get ice, but black ice - the kind that's hard to see, making it even more slippery and even more dangerous. So why isn't snow the easy choice when compared to rain? The answer lies in the fact that when it snows, often times the roads (such as major highways) are cleared of snow fairly quickly making it safer to drive.

Undoubtedly, driving on the road with snow is not a pleasant experience. However, when the major roads are cleared, which is often the case, a car applying its brakes will have a much more easier time doing so than had the ice not been cleared from the roadways. If the conditions of the road were such that the ice was not cleared (such as in back alleys and the like), then a driver would have to be extra careful because of the slipperiness of the ice and even the potential for black ice.

There is another argument as to why snow is less dangerous to travel on than rain. This has been my observation. When it snows, people expect the conditions of the road to be more dangerous and therefore, they tend to drive slower and drive more carefully than when it simply rains. Given the fact that drivers are driving more cautiously, then the roads become safer to drive on as a direct consequence of people's reaction to the snow. Admittedly, this observation is not based on scientific fact and chances are, you're experience has been different from mine...but hey, it's my article, isn't it? Just kidding. But, it nonetheless remains an argument as to why it's safer to drive on snow than it is when it rains. Feel free to share your experiences in the comments section. I really would like to know.