My grandpa ran a towing company back when tow bans were much rarer. I remember being out with him on some pretty nasty nights trying to keep the interstates clear for the DOT and Highway Patrol. He always claimed the number one thing 4WD and anti-lock brakes were good for was getting people stuck where most tow trucks can't get them. The number 2 thing was ringing up very large towing bills for the trucks that could go get them.

As noted above, you need to understand the limitations of your equipment and your skill with it. Practicing in the local parking lots is always a good way to warm up for winter driving.

A couple of additions to all the good inputs above:
- Slow and easy is the key to driving in bad winter conditions
- If it was hard to get moving it will be much harder to stop (or steer)
- Do not ever, ever stop on or near the main portion of the road/interstate
- In icy conditions the shoulders and median often have much better traction
- Curves are tricky
--- flat curves - go slow, really really slow
--- banked curves - go fast enough to not slide out the bottom
------ usually about half the posted speed
- Weather forecasts cannot be trusted - if in doubt stay home or pull off early
- The first snow falls/ice storms are the worst since everyone is out of practice
- Driving through snow drifts that come over the hood is contra-indicated
(and a whole lot of fun under the right conditions)

Final Note: I drive a Jeep and haven't gotten stuck where the tow trucks can't get to me yet!

-Eric