[singpilot]

For several years I was based in Raleigh during the winter (hockey) season. For those that are not familiar, the style of driving in the Raleigh area is 'NASCAR-all-the-way'. They do not follow other cars on the roads, they 'draft'. They do not slow for turns, they fade to the apex. Traffic Signals are only a 'suggestion', and there does not seem to be the ability to 'black flag' anyone. Although I have never seen an actual NASCAR race run in snow and ice, it is only an accident of the calendar that it has not actually happened.

The first snowfall or ice storm of the season tends to remove the worst offenders until suitable rental cars can be arranged. Once those are quickly and expertly in the ditch, a second rental car is typically not available, and the roads are almost safe until the auto body repair places can recover from the onslought. Between the airport and town (8 miles) we counted over 100 cars in the ditch on one such night.

It's a North Carolina thang. The breakfast diner I used to eat in had a sign at the front door that said...... "WE PROUDLY DO NOT OFFER A NON-SMOKING SECTION".

No, you do not get used to it.