Winter Driving Safety

By: Deutschmann Personal Injury & Disability Law (Lawyers) | Published 12/01/2013

Every year we shake our heads after the long lists of accidents on the first snowy day. It seems we forget how to drive in the snow every year. Here are some tips to help keep you safe on the roads.

If you are a nervous winter driver consider taking winter driving course.
Make sure your car is ready for winter - install 4 matching winter tires.
Pack an emergency kit in your car.
Think about winter driving before you start moving the car. Stopping distances are far greater, visibility may be reduced, be aware of what to do in a slide or spin.
Brush all the snow off your car before you start to drive.
Drive with your lights on, activate emergency flashers if visibility is low or suddenly road conditions change.
Give yourself extra time in bad weather so you don't feel rushed.
Travel with a fully charged cell phone.
DON'T use cruise control in slippery conditions.
Delay or cancel going out on the roads if the conditions are severe.

You can check current road and weather conditions on many websites and they will offer you a great idea of how conditions are beyond the bend in your road. We know that conditions can vary wildly in the winter with local snow squalls and streamers causing havoc on roads in a matter of a few hundred metres. For these and many more tips you can check out the Government of Canada's website.