Are Washingtonians Really Such Awful Drivers In The Snow?

Well, I have finally been able to take the Prius out for a few runs on snowy, slick roads. Clients kept me busy all through last weeks pre-Valentine and Valentines Day ice storms up to todays gorgeous, wet snowfall, with plenty of icy ruts and slush in between. Overall the performance was pretty good; I didn't get stuck once. The moderately slow starts that I am used to are exactly what works best in those conditions, and I passed plenty of SUVs that were having a harder time of it. There was one fairly major slip-up by either the Prius or its driver, though. While cutting through Forest Hills on my way to Rock Creek Park I made (or failed to make, rather) a sharp left turn while heading downhill on what looked to be a very thin layer of freshly fallen powder. The back end went out on me real fast and swung right around. For a moment I had the awful feeling of not having the least bit of control over my fate. I was just a small, fragile fleshpiece within a massive, free-sliding projectile of metal, plastic and glass. WATCH OUT! Fortunately, I wasn't going very fast to begin with and no other cars were coming around the corner towards me. I ended up facing back in the direction I had come from with an embarrassed, and grateful, smile on my face. I guess a 4x4 Subaru really might be better for some things.