Has anyone ever used snow chains, they have been around for ages, why not make it illegal to drive in snow without them [or snow tires] make them mandatory equipment…

Most motorists can’t change a spare tyre let alone fit a set of snow-chains, and a badly fitted snow-chain is a menace in itself! Snow tyres are a better idea, and are more easily fitted (on a second set of wheels) but even snow-tyres are next to useless on ice and IMHO it is mainly the inexperience of the average driver that causes the problems in snowy conditions; snow-tyres may simply extend the point at which their inexperience gets them into trouble.