Snow on the minds of motorists, Hankook survey finds

Perhaps unsurprising, given the weather of late, the recent Winter Gauge motorist survey conducted by tire maker Hankook found that 41% of all Americans polled and more than half of Northeasterners and Midwesterners expect more snow during the winter of 2013-2014 compared to the previous 2012-2013 cycle.

However, while the flakes might fall, snow is not stopping American drivers from hitting the roads, Hankook reported, as more three quarters of the 1,010 drivers polled (76%) stated that they are comfortable driving in the snow – a hefty percentage, the tire maker said, considering less than half of those polled live in the Northeast or the Midwest.

Hankook also found that 63% of drivers say skidding on icy roadways is their biggest concern when driving in the winter, down from 68% during its last Winter Gauge report, with 1% of motorists stating that they do not drive in the snow.

Additional findings from the Hankook’s “wintery” survey include:

• About 43% of those polled said they spend their time sitting in the car while waiting for it to warm up in the winter, while 24% said they sit inside and drink a cup of coffee.
• Some 71% of those surveyed spend less than one hour digging their car out of the snow.
• Nearly half (49%) of those polled maintain their own driveway, while 26% said they don't maintain it, and 4% employ their kids to do it.