Winter Safe Driving

Install Winter Tires:

Winter tires are made with softer compound and unique design to provides better traction and handling during frost snow, slush and ice.
The tread pattern in a winter tire is also designed to maintain more contact with the pavement in adverse conditions.
Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Under-inflation or over-inflation can reduce the gripping action of tires.
It is important that all four tires have adequate tread.

Winter Maintenance Check-up:

Check windshield wiper blades to make sure they work properly and that the windshield wiper fluid reservoir is always full.
Have your mechanic test the anti-freeze/coolant to provide
the correct level of protection for your vehicle.

See and be seen:

Remove snow and ice from all vehicle windows, lights, turn signals and top of vehicle.
Buckle up.
Turn on your headlights.
Turn off cruise control. The only way to stop wheel-spin and
maintain control of a skidding vehicle is to reduce power immediately. Disengaging cruise control will take too much time.

Plan your route:

Share your travel plans so others.
Leave yourself enough time to reach your destination safely.
Accelerate, brake and steer smoothly and gradually � avoid quick starts, stops and fast turns.
Go slowly! It takes four times the distance to stop at 50 km/h as it does at 25 km/h.
Maintain a safe following distance.
Beware of BLACK ICE! Curves, intersections, off-ramps, bridges and shady areas are common areas for black ice.
Don't overestimate the abilities of your vehicle! 4-wheel drive are not better than 2-wheel drive in stopping and turning in winter road conditions.

What to keep in your vehicle:
Ice scraper/ snowbrush Shovel Sand or other traction aid Tow rope Booster Cables Road flares or warning lights	Gas Line antifreeze First Aid Supplies Flashlight and batteries Blanket Extra clothing and footwear	Non-perishable energy foods e.g. chocolate, granola bars, juice, bottled water Candle and a small tin can Matches

What to do if you skid:

Look where you want your vehicle to go and steer your
vehicle in this direction.
DO NOT BRAKE!
DO NOT ACCELERATE!
Stop the driving force on the wheels by:
- Shifting to neutral in automatic transmission vehicles.
- Declutching in standards transmission vehicles.

What you should do if a collison occurs:

Click on the Collision Reporting Centre link for information
about when a driver should report a motor vehicle collision
at a centre and what steps need to be taken when a collision
occurs.

Snow Plows:

Drive a safe distance behind the plow. You may see them, but
they may not see you if you are following too closely.
Only pass snow removal vehicles when a safe passing areas is
available, that is clear of snow and treated with salt and sand.
Do not pass on the right.
Watch for the plow and blade when passing snow plows.
They may be obscured by snow and cleared debris.
Don't travel beside a snow plow. They can shift sideways after
hitting snow packs or drifts.
When approaching an oncoming snow plow, reduce speed
and move to the right side of the road if safe to do so.
Plows cannot stop quickly. Do not pass too closely in front.
Plows can create temporary white-out conditions with swirling
snow. Safely pull to the side or slow down in these conditions.