That is a great question. Born in CT and raised in VT; slowest car rules VT roads with long lines of snaking traffic behind; weather only compounds it.

> You drive like you want. I would prefer traveling in the safer clear lane as opposed to the unplowed lane. I’m in no hurry.

Literally none of this is relevant to my point at all and the fact I can understand that passing on a highway doesn't "requires quick acceleration & directional changes followed by a possible need to slowdown abruptly" doesn't mean I'm going to pass when things look like the original picture.

What? The bulk of NE/New York is completely comparable to VT when it comes to snow, if not worse

It's a good legit question!

and it's awesome you want to learn why :)

It was coming down real good in the Upper Valley. Worst road conditions in a while today.

sNOw’s

Absolutely. Muck boots with fiber embedded in the neoprene lining so you can easily slip them on and off. They don’t have to be expensive. Maybe put in some foam insoles too. Only place I found them near Burlington was Tractor Supply.

When you do The Line, you’re overwhelmingly likely to get where you want to go. When you reject The Line you probably won’t (and then we have to rescue you). Don’t make driving in snow harder than it needs to be.

Because we haven't been traumatized by superhuman-sized traffic jams. Out of staters feel like they need to pass because they're used to dealing with tons of traffic and long waits. We know it won't be long until we get to the next turn, so no need to risk our lives for a couple extra minutes.

I have a pair for work and they are amazing. I need to get another for outside dirtying.

You presume most people can deal with real frustrations in life?

I'm a film shooter myself and I'm always glad to see others' work. Thanks for the downvote, regardless.

They’re snow no’s.

You drive like you want. I would prefer traveling in the safer clear lane as opposed to the unplowed lane. I’m in no hurry. The risk vs reward isn’t worth it for me. The folks that trailblaze those lanes just make it more dangerous for the one’s driving safely. Enjoy the 5-10 minutes you shave off your commute.

Yes, thank you for helping make my point.

So after reading everyone's answers, I have to say the Vermonters and the newcomers are pretty aligned. If anyone has an interest in what the newcomers have said, definitely check out:

https://www.reddit.com/r/NewToVermont/comments/11fb53p/to_all_the_new_people_moving_to_vermonti_have/

Some of their reasoning and life stories are really touching. It definitely gave me a deeper appreciation and a wider perspective.

Well...I've been here all my life...and I have to have a lot of trust in whatever I'm driving to pass, and I have to feel the road. That said, it also takes serious weather for me to feel unsafe behind the wheel. There is also a difference between feeling unsafe, and doing something that puts other people at risk, too.

I grew up with people in my immediate orbit referring to the road as being "Greasy" or not. Because sometimes the roads feel that way. The car doesn't do what you want it to, regardless of how good your tires are, or how good of a driver you are, and your job is to keep it under control.

It doesn't matter if you have studs or not, if physics is against you. Studs work best when they can bite the pavement, if the only thing under your tire is snow+ice, take it slow if you have to be out. Studs help you go, they don't necessarily help you stop.

All that said....I pass sometimes. I also reserve the right to attempt a pass, and nope back into the more-travelled lane. Especially if my wife and kid are in the car.

Precious cargo changes how everyone drives (unless they are negligent). When I was driving my '94 Chevy as a college kid, I certainly drove that car a lot differently (and more recklessly...passing constantly on the highway, blowing donuts in parking lots, etc.) than how I drive now with my only car, with my only wife, and only child in it.

The stakes get higher when you realize what you have to lose. It is unlikely (unless in an emergency) that whatever you're trying to get to is so important that you must get there faster. You should have planned better if you're running late.

Someone else’s hurry has no impact on my desire to avoid smashing my car.

Yes it is really, I’ve noticed this only in Vermont. NY people just pass, and when I lived in Montana people passed.

I’ve learned that this is a much smarter thing to do.

Thank you though :) sometimes things aren’t obvious to others who have lived other places!

In conditions like this, you don't pass. But my problem is many VTers don't pass even in the summer and view 2-3 mph under the speed limit as the maximum they can afford until their car explodes.

Have you ever tried passing on that? It’s a quick way to end up in a ditch

A quick google search may steer you otherwise, but when looking at rates a little deeper, VT bounces between 1-3 in most cases.

Safer drivers, lower speeds, more of what you see in the pic above.

Certainly not a “Live free or die” mantra here.

what towns are you guys in? burlington is getting nothjng

Most of the out of staters driving in VT this time of year are going to be from other New England states or NY

Just pull over when we come up behind you. We’ll give you a thank you wave. :)