Swedes are safer in snow tires; why are we slip-slidin' away?

Old Man Winter has kicked us but good this past couple of months in my neck of the woods, dumping 30 or more cm at a go over and over and over. The only thing that's given me peace of mind and kept me warm and smug in my car has been my good ole set of snow tires - while all around me, all-season radial tire owners go slippin' and slidin' and fishtailin' through traffic lights, across lanes and into ditches.

We think we have bad winters here in Canada and the northernmost States, but how about those Swedes?... Wait a sec, don't feel bad for them. They do just fine with winter driving. Their secret?

Snow tires.

In Sweden, drivers are required by law to use snow tires from December 1st through end of March. They can use the snow tires or go even further and use studded tires. About 80% of Swedes choose studded tires for that extra protection proven by Swedish research.

Oh, and skid control training is a compulsory part of getting a driver's license in Sweden. So, basically, the Swedish government and public figure the most efficient way to reduce deaths and injuries on the road in winter is to:

• Use the best tools/equipment at hand (snow or studded tires)
  
• Get the best, most relevant training available (skid control)

Here in North America, the esteemed National Safety Council doesn't even mention snow tires or studded tires in its web resources about winter driving. They do, however, tell you to pack kitty litter in your trunk and "get in the proper mental state" for winter driving.

My investment in a set of snow tires: About $500.

Return on investment: A much better chance of me and my kids making it home during a storm... Priceless.