Most of the Jeep/4WD vehicles I see on the roads in the winter after a fresh snowfall are the ones in the ditch. <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Too many people think that having a "4-wheel drive" makes them immune to the laws of physics; a Jeep can skid just as easily as a regular car, and get stuck just as fast. (Of course, I'll bet most of those drivers are cruising around with "all-season radials" instead of proper snow tires.)

Good point. I forget where I read that " 'Four wheel drive' vehicles and 'off road vehicles' are not the same thing," but it's very true.

I think that many people simply think that they are careful drivers because they stay away from the limits. This often prevents them from knowing where the limit is or how the vehicle tells when it´s about to meet the limit. They also lack the skills to handle the car when it approaches the limit. The resulting reaction often puts the car into the ditch (I´ve seen that many times).
It would be good preparation to take a driver´s class to learn the proper handling skills and feeling for the vehicle.