Winter Driving Tips to Help You Get From Point A to Point B Safely Through Whatever Mother Nature Throws Your Way

Posted by on Dec 08, 2017 in Insurance Advice, and Personal Safety Tips

Canadian winters can be brutal with frigid temperatures and heavy snowfalls often in the forecast. Despite snowplows, store-bought ice and snow removal products and devices, and winter snow tires doing their best, it is still a nasty experience to drive in winter. We’ve put together some of the best winter driving tips to help you be as safe and prepared on the roads this winter season.

  • Clear all snow and ice from your vehicle before getting on the roads. This includes the top of your vehicle and headlights and taillights. Also be sure to have all windows completely defrosted before driving.
  • Reduce your speed. Posted speed limits are for ideal driving conditions, a category which a Canadian winter does not fall under. Adjust your speed when required for snowy or icy road surfaces or when visibility is low.
  • Leave space between you and other vehicles around you. The braking distance you are used to your vehicle having can go out the window if road conditions are bad enough. Leave sufficient space between you and the vehicle ahead of you so you have a better chance of braking without collision should traffic come to a stop quicker than you are expecting.
  • Plan accordingly. If you know road conditions aren’t good, give yourself extra time to get to your destination so you are not tempted to drive faster or more recklessly trying to make it somewhere on time.
  • Turn your lights on. Most newer model vehicles have automatic lights, but if not, be sure to turn your headlights on at night and whenever visibility is poor as some vehicles do not run taillights when using daytime running lights. You would want to be able to see the car in front of you, so be sure you are visible to the car behind you.
  • Forget about cruise control. Cruise control should never be used on slippery road conditions, so as a rule of thumb it should be avoided during any winter driving.
  • Increase your traction. Improved traction on winter road surfaces can be achieved by investing in a set of winter-specific tires for your vehicle. Although many believe All-Season tires will do the trick, the rubber in winter tires is specifically designed to better grip the road surface in colder temperatures.
  • Buckle up. One of the most important things you can do when you are in any vehicle as a driver or passenger is wear your seat belt. In the case of a collision, a seat belt can be the difference between life and death.
  • Check the weather forecast and listen for any special advisories. If roads are really bad and travel is not recommended, stay off the roads.
We hope these winter driving tips will help you and your loved ones get around safely this winter season.

Related Posts

"Just wanted to leave a message for your website that praises Nik Dore for being a constant example of always providing invaluable customer service. I never worry that my questions and concerns will be dismissed or that I am receiving less than constructive advice. Many thanks to him."
&-–
"I know all my insurance needs are covered with Oegema, Nicholson & Associates. I have been a loyal client for the last 15 years, and I can count of them for my commercial insurance, employee benefits, as well as my personal insurance and finances. Jeff Richer always goes above and beyond to help me with my insurance needs."
O-Omkar Atwal, Owner, Leitrim Home Hardware
"It’s always a pleasure to deal with Oegema, Nicholson & Associates, and I can depend on them for all my insurance needs. I have been a client for several years and whether it’s regarding my personal insurance, or anything to do with our employee benefits or commercial needs, I know I’m taken care of."
R-Rhonda, Capital Dodge
"I would like to thank Carol for everything she has done for me and my family over the years. It is my honest belief that we would not be in the position we are in if it was not for her guidance, expertise and honesty. We can't begin to thank her enough."
T-Tim
"ONA helps me with my personal insurance and my business insurance . They are my one stop shop when it comes to insurance and group benefits. I know I’m covered in all areas. Great friendly service and knowledgeable staff!"
J-James Carriveau, President, Exact Interlock and Exact Properties
"One call to Oegema, Nicholson Associates is all it took. After our basement flooded, within a day or two they had a crew cleaning everything up, taking down the drywall and itemizing everything to be cleaned, thrown out or restored. They had everything in place for us in a timely manner and were extremely patient with me as they talked me through the process and waited for me to make decisions."
J-Jennifer Parks, Stittsville, Ontario
"I’ve been dealing with ONA for over 20 years with my personal insurance, as well as our commercial insurance, and I know I can rely on them for great customer service, and prompt responses. I feel confident not only referring them to my employees, but to our customers as well."
C-Charlene Brunet, President, Dan Murphy Ford
Oegema, Nicholson Financial Inc.
1453 WOODROFFE AVENUE
613-686-6338
Ottawa
1451 Woodroffe Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K2G 1W1
Manotick
5526 Manotick Main Street P.O. Box 149
Ottawa, Ontario K2G 1W1
Almonte
154 Bridge Street P.O. Box 749
Almonte, Ontario K0A 1A0
Russell
243 Castor Street
Russell, Ontario K4R 1B8
Orleans
3-3809 St. Joseph Blvd.
Orleans, Ontario K4A 0Z8
Request More Information