[Nerys]

All things being correctly equal 4wd is almost 100% of the time safer than 2wd but this comes with some CONDITIONS.

IE if you DRIVE a 2wd like a 2wd and a 4wd like a 4wd you ARE usually safer. if you drive a heavy or high riding 4wd like a low riding 2wd its much much LESS safer than the 2wd. see what I mean?

also remember ALL cars have 4 wheel brakes. the ONLY major difference with 4wd is you now also POWER all 4 wheels so you can GO better/faster in adverse condition but you can NEVER stop better. Remember SAME 4 wheel brakes.

in fact all other conditions being equal 4wd is WORSE at stopping because they are in most cases heavier than there counterpart 2wd vehicles.

I have had 4wd save my bacon. I was at a downhill sloping light and I happened to glance in the mirror the sight of an old LTD coming down the hill sideways. I cranked the wheel pop the curb up onto the embankment and watched as the car slid harmlessly by. Thankfully he also slid to a harmless stop. He was not even doing anything wrong. Just slipped. Without the 4wd I doubt I could have gotten out of the way in time to avoid the collision.

4wd also means I "CAN" in fact go out in condition where you and your 2wd really should stay home. BUT I do it right. I got home in a blizzard once. I did it at 20mph on I95. I stopped at least 6 times on the way home to yank people out of the ditch. ALL BUT ONE of them was an SUV. :-)

IE drive to the conditions and within the limits of your vehicle AND your driving skills!