Driver’s Education 101 taught each of us about safe driving habits during adverse weather conditions.  Slow down, leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you,  and be certain your brakes are mechanically sound.  This is all solid advice but did you know Colorado drivers actually wrote their own rule book about driving in the snow?  It goes something like this.

1.  Clear off just enough snow from your windshield so you can see directly ahead of you.  Peripheral vision is useless on ice.  If you’re going to slide so be it.  At least you will easily see the object you’re going to hit dead on through your carefully crafted peephole.
2.  Don’t stop when you are traveling up a hill.  Why not?  Gravity is not your friend in this situation and what is not intentionally advancing up the hill, will definitely begin to slide back down.  Note: Be sure to clear off a tiny space on your back window as well.  This way you can easily witness your impending collision through the back peephole should you choose not to follow rule number two.
3. If you are an out-of-state driver,  be prepared for the ride of your life.  Not only will you likely experience your first terrifying moment of sliding on ice with absolutely no control; you can be assured that a local driver will tailgate you as this happens narrowly missing your bumper as they too glide on by.
4. If you own an SUV in Colorado it seems no rules apply to you.  Go ahead and drive like a bat out of hell.  The tow truck drivers will thank you.
5. If all else fails.  Stay home.  Just don’t drive.  Snow days are really made for binge-watching movies, lighting the fireplace and eating the baked goods you made with the eggs and milk you bought during your panicked trip to buy groceries the day before.

Stay safe out there fellow drivers.  I’ll be staying home.