I think that in the US many of the snow ploughs are owned by privateers and are called out and paid by the local authorities when needed. Can anyone confirm this? To me this is one way we might make things slightly better. Around here, as in many places, the minor roads and cul-de-sacs are still almost impassable (our road is a skating rink this morning with lumps of frozen snow inbetween sheet ice). Had a local farmer popped a blade onto his tractor and been paid £500 for a day's ploughing, we might not have had everything shut down for two days. Another thing we could do is, as someone else mentioned, be a little more independent and get things moving ourselves. Down my road I think only two people (me included, of course) have taken the trouble to clear their path and around their cars. Everyone else sits helplessly and waits for salvation from somewhere rather than getting off their butts. Obviously older people aren't going to be able to do this, but a few enterprising teenagers could make themselves some pocket money by offering to clear people's paths rather than spending all day playing in the snow (yes, Number One son, I'm looking at you). As most others have said, I think we've become accustomed to mild winters in the South and have forgotten how to cope. I remember my mother putting salt on the path during the 70s and 80s when it was icy, but when I did the same yesterday passers-by looked at me as if I was crazy. I also agree with some of the comments wrt driving. As someone who drives to France every year for the skiing, I've learnt how to cope on snow, but many have no clue. Also, a spade, some sand and a cheap set of snow chains in the boot should be basic equipment whenever travelling in potentially snowy conditions.