General Discussion

There's regular routine, and there are special circumstances. Those different scenarios have changed over time.

"Regular every day" when I was first driving involved keeping chains in the trunk, for most of us in New England. And at the time the more severe circumstances involved driving on certain roads and through mountain passes, where we pulled out the chains. There were then, and there still are, certain places where chains are not just expected...they are required.

But nowadays - the improvements in cars have mostly eliminated the need for chains, particularly somewhere like Boston. We have all the improvements of tires and vehicles and braking systems. We also have better DOT operations with regular sanding and salting.

We are glad that most places use environment friendly salting products nowadays. And we are glad we don't have chains tearing up the city streets.

When conditions require chains, it is not left to chance. I haven't driven through a pass in decades. But there were check points and signs back then.