While I disagree that most drivers are 'severe',
One Line says that every driver in the North drives in severe conditions.
•Driving in dusty conditions or on rough, muddy, or salt-spread roads
It’s almost impossible to drive on a road in the north east in the winter without running into salt.
While my commute is almost all highway…after work I still have many short drives (to the store, sons practice and games, town meetings…etc…etc). I easily fall into severe here also.