Canada is famous for its winters. From postcard-pretty snow to bone-chilling wind and slippery ice, the winter season touches every aspect of Canadian life. With road and driving conditions that can change from day to day, it really pays to be prepared!
Safety tips so you can enjoy your drive
Get your vehicle winter-ready
If you haven’t prepared your vehicle for the winter yet, now is the time to get started. In a previous blog article, we talked about the things to do to get your car ready for colder temperatures, snow and ice. Installing winter tires, topping up on windshield washer, and having an ice scraper, brush, shovel, and blankets, etc. are just of the few things that you can do to prepare.
Make sure you read our article on winterizing your vehicle for more useful tips.
Drive safely
- Before you drive, clean the snow off your vehicle – from the hood and roof to windows and lights, it’s best to clear off all the snow so that you can be seen by other drivers, you can see the road better and avoid snow falling on your windshield or flying onto other cars.
- Leave early and give yourself enough time to get to your destination safely.
- Turn on your headlights if visibility is poor.
- Match your driving to weather conditions. Reduce speed and avoid passing other vehicles – when there is snow, ice or slush it can be harder to change lanes.
- Learn how to brake properly since it takes longer to stop on slippery roads and be prepared for skidding.
Transports Canada is a good resource to learn more about driving safely in the winter.
Going for a long drive? Prepare an emergency kit.
Snow-covered roads, slippery ice, an ice storm or even a blizzard can be quite a different experience when driving rural roads and highways. While you may get a tow or emergency responders to you faster in a city, it may take longer if you are in a remote area. When this happens, an emergency kit can be a lifesaver.
Before heading out, check the Government of Canada’s Get Prepared website for an essential guide on emergency preparedness when driving in winter conditions. Here are some of the things that are suggested to pack in your emergency kit:
- Food, such as energy bars or crackers
- Drinking water
- Extra clothes, socks, shoes, boots, blanket
- First aid kit
- Small shovel, scraper, snowbrush, seatbelt cutter
- Candle in a deep can and matches
- Wind‑up flashlight
- Whistle—in case you need to attract attention
- Roadmaps
- Copy of your emergency plan
Here are more resources that you can look into and be prepared:
Insurance Bureau of Canada: https://www.ibc.ca/stay-protected/seasonal-safety/winter
RCMP: https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/gazette/just-the-facts-winter-driving