Freezing rain is no joke no matter where you are in the country. You guys further south seem to get freezing rain more often than we do, due to the warmer climate. When we get freezing rain it covers every inch of everything, takes down trees and power lines. Driving on is nearly impossible even with 4X4 unless you have studded tires or chains.
I'm not saying it is easy, but it isn't hard to drive safely in the conditions we had last night. Austin drivers are used to driving 10-15 over the speed limit and/or tailgating. When it rains even a little, we experience tons of accidents because people don't change how they drive for whatever reason. They expect to be able to drive 10 feet behind the car in front of them and slam on their breaks every few seconds and still stop on a dime. Honestly, driving in Texas is the scariest and most frustrating thing about living here.
edit: last night I drove 3 blocks to the grocery store and at the only light I have to go through, a pickup guns it at the light and spins immediately into the middle of the intersection. I see that kind of stuff all the time...
