Winter is here! The ever changing road conditions make driving more challenging. The following are some guidelines to make your winter drive safer.


Plan Ahead

  • Check weather and travel conditions before heading out.
  • Give yourself extra time for travel.
  • If at all possible, do not drive when the roads are icy.
  • Plan your route and most importantly, let someone know which way you’re traveling, destination and expected arrival time.

Visibility

  • Scrape your mirrors and windows.
  • Brush off any snow on your vehicle and lights (front and rear) prior to your drive.
  • Turn on your vehicle’s lighting system in poor visibility.

Drive Slowly

  • Use limited pedal pressure when starting your vehicle and begin braking well in advance when you want to stop.
  • Do not attempt sharp turns at high speed.
  • In poor visibility or even whiteout conditions, don’t drive faster than you can see ahead.

Extra Space Helps

  • Increase the distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you.
  • Stopping distance on an icy road is double that of stopping on a dry one.
    • For example, from around 45 meters (140 ft) at the speed of 60 km/h on a dry surface, to 80 meters (over 260 ft) on an icy road surface

Changing Lanes

  • Avoid making any abrupt lane changes.
  • If the road is snowy and slushy, the technique is to pick your spot (where there’s the least amount of slush between lanes), signal in advance, maintain a steady speed, and hold the steering wheel firmly as you cross the lanes from one lane to the next.

Black Ice

  • Black ice forms in shaded areas of the road, bridges and highway overpasses.
  • Drive with extra caution when approaching these areas.
  • It helps if you decelerate slowly and keep the vehicle going straight.
  • To keep a vehicle going in a straight line, maintain momentum and do not attempt to change direction.

Sources:

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/winterdrive/winterdrive.htm

http://www.canadiandriver.com/winter/winterdriving.htm

http://ww3.psepcsppcc.gc.ca/info_pro/self_help_ad/general/winterdriv_e.asp#control

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/icesnow.html