I know how Winter in Canada can be volatile; from being sunny in a minute then you realize it’s snowing outside.
Winter driving can be quite difficult at times, particularly when snowy or icy.
If road conditions are hazardous, consider making alternate travel arrangements or postponing your trip until conditions improve.
Driving in the winter without advance preparation jeopardizes not only your safety but also the safety of others.
That is why I want to give some winter safety cues to benefit everyone in equipping for
and staying safe during the impending winter season.
Heed to these steps to stay safe and avoid collisions over the next few blustery winter months with the following steps below:
1. Ensure Your Vehicle Is Convenient For Winter Driving.
- Purchasing winter tires. This is because they are a good choice as they procure additional adhesion in snowy or icy situations.
- Remember to keep a snow brush/scraper in your car, emergency supplies like a lightweight shovel, battery jumper cables, and a torchlight.
- Before embarking on a road, make sure your mirrors, all windows, and the top of your vehicle are checked to see if your vehicle is ready for winter driving.
2. Drive Carefully And Slowly:
- When driving, prevent creating abrupt turns or stops. This frequently causes your vehicle to lose control and skid.
- The most established cause of winter collisions is caused by speeding. On snow and ice-covered roads, drive slowly and carefully.
3. Avoid Tailgating:
In the winter, tailgating becomes much more hazardous. Stopping takes much longer on snowy and icy roads than it does on parched pavement, so leave plenty of expanse between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
Before turning, apply the brakes.
Slowly apply the brakes to slow down before entering turns. You can re-accelerate once you’ve rounded the corner.
4. Leave a Lot Of Space When Driving:
When Driving during the Winter season you should Allow Plenty of space.
Though it is a common connotation to leave a ton of space between your car and the car in front of you, it can also be lifesaving when driving in Canada during the winter.
There are a number of rules to ensure you keep at least three car distances between you and the car in front of you.
- Alternatively, try to retain a distance of eight to ten seconds between yourself and the vehicle you are coming after.
- You can estimate the seconds by inspecting that the car in front of you passes an article like a road sign or landmark. Check how long your travel time or distance is.
If your travel time is less than three or four seconds, it’s the moment to boost your latitude from the car in front of you. If your travel time is less than three or four seconds, it’s time to boost your distance from the car in front of you.
- Calculate how long it takes you to go through the same landmark again. It’s acceptable if your travel time is less than three or four seconds.
And, when driving in the winter, giving additional space is always preferable. The adequate proportion of space will give you a ton of time to safely brake.
When you hit the brakes hard, your vehicle can easily lose friction. It’s best advisable to conserve a slow speed to prevent banging on the brakes. It is impossible to halt your car in snow and ice.
5. Check Your Weather And Road Conditions:
Before you start driving, survey the weather and road climates.
Driving in Canada during the winter can be uncertain, and you may not be able to prevent an immediate snowstorm.
Nonetheless, by searching weather sites for local and provincial forecasts, you will be in a reasonable stance to postpone or shift your travel plans.
When the main snowstorm is expected, it’s reasonable to avert the roads totally.
The Weather Network delivers significant severe weather opinions as well as warnings and signals for the hazard of incoming snowfall and freezing rain.
You can also make use of the Traveller Information Service to find out about road closures, road situations, and driving forces.
6. Beware Of Black Ice:
Driving during Winter or Freezing rain Black ice is another hazard in Canada. It is impossible to see clearly because the ice is visible and virtually the same color as the road (Therefore the name black ice comes about).
When the road is humid and the temperature plunges below freezing, this harmful driving circumstance happens.
Black ice is widespread in niches where cold air streams beneath the road’s veneer, such as bridges and overpasses.
7. Removal Of Snow From Your Vehicle.
Removing Snow and Ice from Your Vehicle is Another crucial winter driving pointer whose objective is to keep your car free of snow and ice. This is when obtaining a handy snowbrush and ice scraper is essential in your car as it will enable you to see clearly through your car windows.
This procedure also aids different drivers to notice you, here are the essential places to brush the snow off your Vehicle:
The car’s roof, front hood, trunk windows, and headlights.
When your vehicle is free from snow, you won’t have to bother about snow blowing out while driving. Snow Blowing from your car can hinder your eyesight as well as the eyesight of other drivers on the road.
You can also add to your schedule to remove snow from your vehicle.
8. Don’t Freak Out When Stuck In Snow:
If you’re driving and you get stuck don’t freak out. Drivers should realize that getting stuck in a snowstorm isn’t much of a big deal and it can happen to anyone.
Here are the following things to do when you get stuck.
- First, you’re to stay calm. Drivers should avoid overexerting themselves by endeavoring to shove their vehicle out of its problem.
- To avoid susceptibility to the elements, drivers should stay in their vehicles.
- Drivers must ensure the exhaust pipe is visible of any obstacles, including snow.
- To stay safe drivers should leave the window scarcely free to enable fresh airflow.
As a driver, you’re now aware of these 8 safety driving tips during Winter, you can be sure to have fewer hazards during winter.