Winter driving

Before your journey:

• Plan ahead and try to stay on main roads
• Check the weather conditions before you leave and always allow extra time for your journey.
• Make sure your vehicle is clear of snow and ice – not only is it dangerous, but it could also result in a ticket.
• Uncleared snow could fall off your vehicle and hit the vehicle behind or distract other drivers.

When driving:

• Drive according to the road conditions. Just because the speed is posted at 100 kilometres per hour does not mean you have to go that fast. Speed limits are for ideal conditions.
• Always leave a safe gap between you and other vehicles, so you have plenty of time to react should anything happen. The ‘two second’ rule is always a good idea.
• Pay particular attention at intersections. Snow often melts under the exhausts of vehicles and then re-freezes, making it icy and difficult to stop.
• Take extra care when travelling over bridges where black ice can form.
• Avoid any sudden manoeuvres such as braking, accelerating or sharp turns.
• If the conditions are too treacherous, turn back or find safety quickly.

General:

• Make sure your vehicle is well maintained. Top up your washer fluid and make sure your wiper blades are in good working order.
• Winter tires are recommended, but remember, they are not miracle workers – you still need to drive carefully and follow the advice already provided.
• Regardless of the tires you have, make sure they are in good condition.
• Conditions can change in a heartbeat, so make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter and you always have an emergency and first aid kit with you.
• If you are driving a truck, make sure there is plenty of weight in the back so you maintain traction with the road.
• If you are going on a long or unplanned journey, tell someone where you are going and when you plan to get there.

Preventing warm-up theft:

• Use a remote starter or stay with your vehicle as it warms up.
• Never leave your keys – neither your primary set nor a spare set – inside your vehicle.
• Use a steering wheel lock.
• Always keep your vehicle locked.
• Never leave children, pets, valuable items or sentimental items inside a running vehicle.
• Be mindful of possible limitations to your remote or push button start.
• Consider how close your key fob needs to be to start the vehicle with the push button, and ensure you keep your keys far enough away from the vehicle when not in use.
• Determine whether the key fob needs to be continuously near the vehicle after it has started.

Operation cold start tip sheets