it has snowed seriously only 3 times in the 25 years I have been in Charlotte area, and in those times I did not use chains. the BEST way to avoid being in an accident or getting stuck is don't drive in conditions that are unusual for your area! chains are good for one thing, getting you out of a tough spot that you are in. they are not for driving around for added traction. That's what studded tires are for. they are for getting you out of a jam. and IF you need them, you should not be out in the first place. chains/cables, are great for destroying roads, and tires, and cars when they pop off and slam into your fenders etc. I remember when 18" of snow hit charlotte one winter, it fell on top of already ice covered roads. all the freeways and roads were totally impassable. yet many drove anyway. I was driving an astro van service vehicle, and had studs on (heh, I came down from SD... ) so I was able to navigate the frozen roads, many customers knew me, and insisted since I came from snow country I could navigate their roads too... 30° slopes covered with ice and snow, with trees all along the side... I told them this... I DO know how to drive in bad weather... avoid steep hills, park the car and walk! if there are no snowplows, the roads are bad. packed snow is REALLY hard to drive on.