My car is not what you’d call “snow-friendly.”

Like its owner, the aging Buick Park Avenue is a California native and doesn’t adapt easily to Yukon-like conditions. It was built, thank you very much, for comfort and luxury.

The seats are a dream. There is enough trunk space to carry the entire Mormon Tabernacle Choir and, ages ago when the electronics all worked, it boasted more gizmos and apps than Apple had dreamed up for its iPhones — which of course were still a few generations removed from what you’re buying these days.

Most important, though, the car was easy on my back — and when you consider that I eventually needed lower-spine surgery, that was a critical item.

But no, no, my trusty old Buick wasn’t built to climb snowy hills or handle icy turns.

It was designed to be a showpiece, not a plow horse.

HAVING ISSUED so many disclaimers about driving a vehicle made for long, sunny interstates, however, I must say there is one huge advantage to handling a hefty old Buick in winter conditions.

I have to be cautious.

It would be insanity not to consider snow, ice, sleet and whatever else the North Idaho winter throws at my lumbering Buick around this time of year.

Unfortunately, that’s more than I can say for the rest of you.

Some folks, anyway.

Plenty of drivers up here have these massive snow-killer vehicles with tires the size of movie theaters, and feel perfectly at home zooming along city streets as though it’s July.

I’m sure they’re all grinning.

Moreover, almost every day I’m blasted by someone who goes howling past in a car that is no more suited for slippery roads than my old Buick.

You know, just because you’ve lived here a while doesn’t mean you’re automatically a terrific winter driver.

Common sense is still a good idea — for the sake of others, and even yourselves.

IT’S NOT surprising to see people in the South, for instance, befuddled by a little snow — and thus drive like confused idiots.

I lived in Charlotte for three years, and when there would be just a trace of something white on the roads, motorists drove into ditches and across medians like they were aiming that way.

No surprise, really.

But you?

Idahoans living here at the roof of the United States? With Canada close enough to run up for lunch?

What exactly is your excuse?

Seriously, I’ve seen more goofy drivers here than almost anywhere I’ve lived.

It wasn’t really noticeable in the summer, but now that we have snow and ice, it’s like some of you believe you’ve got this winter thing whipped.

But here’s a tip: It’s rarely wise to tempt Mother Nature. Even a Zamboni slides on ice, so you damn sure will.

Please, you don’t have to prove that your gigantic Wintermobile can handle Government Way like the Daytona backstretch.

Slow down a little, and we’ll just take your word for it.

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Steve Cameron is a special assignment reporter for The Press. Reach Steve at scameron@cdapress.com.