The New Breed of 'Yinzer'

Dubbed Winter Fury by the Weather Channel, we're still seeing some snowfall.  While we were supposed to get another 3-8 inches over the last couple of days, I'm not sure if that happened... and even with it snowing off and on (but pretty regulary), it was strange how it wasn't sticking... until last night.  Within an hour or so, the roads were covered enough (and at rush hour) to bring out the stupid in people. 

Years ago when Pittsburgh got a lot of snow every year, drivers were used to/knew how to drive in it.  At 14 years old, my Dad showed us how to drive in the snow... how to keep moving... how to stop, etc.  Nowadays, with the birth of the SUV, it has spawned the uprising of a whole crop of idiot.  Over-zealous, impatient, feeling omnipotent, too confident, not confident enough... SUV drivers are the worst, causing most of the problems, taking the crown from mini-van drivers.  With mini-van drivers (usually moms with 2.5 kids), they are used to getting shit done, with no choice but to plow through to get their offspring to their soccer game... their trip to the mall... psychotherapy and shock treatments... and they understand the limitations of their vehicles.  They knew they wouldn't be cutting through no fields or jumping any curbs.  But with the SUV driver, this is like giving a loaded M-16 rapid-fire semi-automatic weapon to a mall-walking, blue-hair.  Shit is going to get crazy, yo.  Usually your yuppy, extension wearin', coach bag toting, white zinfandel sipping (with one ice cube) wanna-be, the trouble usually comes in with them underestimating their power to go (proceeding too slowly up a hill, stopping the momentum of people behind them) or thinking that the Escalade can stop on a dime at 50 mph... you can't stop 3000 pounds of leather, 18" rims and gold trim that easily.  All poor assumptions and poor technique (as well as poor hairstyle choices) on their part.  As part of the 'yinzer' drivers test, I think you should be able to handle your vehicle in the snow and be able to drive through a tunnel maintaining speed.

Yesterday, I drove upon a line of traffic on a hill that usually isn't any problem... and sat dead-stop for ten minutes along with probably 50 cars... with some idiot at the front who screwed everyone up.  I finally jumped the curb and took a shortcut through a field in my 4x4... minivan drivers:  suck it, bitch.  Traffic much?