The Unwritten Rules of Driving in Michigan Snowstorms

Michigan gets a pretty bad rep when it comes to its roads and driving. And it's not without merit.

But, there's one thing that Michiganders have an upper leg with, and that's driving in a snow storm.

Driving through a Michigan snow storm is basically a rite of passage for all Michiganders, weather we like it or not (see what I did there? tee hee).

The Unwritten Rules of Driving in Michigan Snowstorms

What it comes down to is this: a few inches of snow doesn't shut down Michigan, so Michiganders need to get to where they're going.

So, if you're new to Michigan, or just new to driving, there are some things you'll want to know... some unwritten rules that all seasoned Michigan drivers know to be true.

Turn Your Lights On

Sure, it might only be 2:10 in the afternoon, but that snow is going to cause decreased visibility. Turning on your lights not only helps you see, but helps you to be seen by others.

Practice Your "I'm Sorry" Face

We've probably all been in that situation where conditions were a bit slipperier than expected, and maybe, just maybe, you didn't stop before the stop sign... or the intersection. This is when you whip out the "I'm sorry face", to let your fellow Michigander know that you did the best you could.

Four-Wheel Drive Doesn't Make You Invincible

Just because you have four-wheel drive doesn't mean that your car is immune to snow and ice. I'm sure you've seen plenty of cars in ditches along I-96 to know that to be true. Still drive with caution.

Google Maps Arrival Estimates Can't Always Be Trusted

A spinout that happened five minutes ago isn't necessarily going to show up on Google maps. Take those time estimates with a grain of salt.

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Leave AT LEAST 20 Minutes Early

Or, realistically, leave when you told the chat when you were leaving. But for real... that 20 minutes will allow you to warm up the car and scrape and brush any snow off of the car.