Tips for dealing with winter driving

Egypt's government has posted troops at key locations and cut internet service as anti-government protesters planned a "march of millions" Tuesday.
Washington Post commuter columnist Robert "Dr. Gridlock" Thomson took reader questions about the effects winter weather has on area roads during a live online chat Monday.
Q: Why don't local jurisdictions enforce snow removal ordinances? I observed many, many cars being driven around with six inches of snow on the tops of roofs. In addition, many property owners failed to remove snow from their properties.
Thomson: The top complaint I get from travelers after almost any winter storm is about the drivers who leave dangerous crowns of snow atop their vehicles. (The Grid Spouse thinks the worst offenders are school buses because they have so much potential to damage following vehicles.)
Of course, like you, I wish enforcement were better, but I also understand that police and inspectors are overwhelmed by the number of violators and the other missions they have immediately after a storm. It's really up to us to be more responsible. (It doesn't take that long.)
Q: Many of the jams I saw Wednesday were caused by drivers slowing down way too much on hills, losing momentum and getting stuck. How about a reminder that too much caution can be a bad thing?
Thomson: From what I saw Wednesday, an abundance of caution was the least of our problems. There were plenty of drivers displaying their mediocre skills at dealing with winter weather.
I'd like to hear more views on what should have happened Wednesday, in addition to whom you blame for what did happen. My own view is that the results of a winter storm arriving at afternoon rush hour are inevitable and that transportation departments need to say that to travelers before the event begins.
Q: I've read with interest the commentaries about how releasing the federal workforce two hours early might have contributed to the horrendous commutes Wednesday.
However, I haven't seen any suggestion that would have "fixed" this problem. Are people suggesting that the federal government had not allowed employees to leave early? And given the snow started at 4 p.m., I think most people would have left a little early anyway - landing us in the same scenario that we saw Wednesday.
What would you suggest the federal government (and employers in general) do in this situation?
Thomson: Many more workers should have been allowed to stay home Wednesday or at least to be gone by noon. We've had troubles before when the forecast has been a little off, but this one was right on the money.
The National Weather Service - and our Capital Weather Gang - predicted and publicized the fact that a "dangerous" storm was going to arrive here just in time for the afternoon rush.
You can't mix rain, ice, snow and a lot of cars and expect anything good to come of it. The transportation departments do a lot better job of getting out in advance of winter storms. They had their trucks in position. The problem was that all the commuters were in position, too.