As a small fleet owner, you are effectively the landed elite. Ivory tower nothing, this is money-before lives of others.
As a previously poor owner of a previously junky car that was previously leased by someone who appreciated salt on the roads ... I also appreciated salt on the roads.
In fact, I was recently back in MN, and my outright-owned, otherwise nice vehicle which did stand to take some damage from salt, but I appreciated when they salted the roads.
Salting the roads aren't doing junky car owners any favors. I've had to replace suspension components, fuel lines, entire frames for rust. These things need to be replaced to keep the vehicle going and are not cheap. Suddenly that $3k honda civic is looking at $3k worth of repairs unless you want to risk your life when you approach highway speeds. I'm always shocked how in California there are absolutely beat up cars from the 70s all over the roads still.
It's just the alternative proposed in above is not better. In fact, I assert it's worse.
I believe that a road made safer with salt and sand is better than requiring individuals to take the steps of adding chains, tire studs, etc.
I do not trust anyone to be so careful and intelligent and responsive to varying conditions.
I expect enforcement of a "chain proclamation" to be haphazard at best esp. because it would occur precisely when enforcing traffic laws is the most difficult due to adverse weather.
I assert that car maintenance is an acceptable price to pay to hedge against accidents and save lives through the widespread use of salt.
I'm just clarifying, I do agree with you about how expensive it can be and how nice it is to own a car in Cali or other dry, warm areas.
As a previously poor owner of a previously junky car that was previously leased by someone who appreciated salt on the roads ... I also appreciated salt on the roads.
In fact, I was recently back in MN, and my outright-owned, otherwise nice vehicle which did stand to take some damage from salt, but I appreciated when they salted the roads.