Drive According To Road Conditions. . .
Check your vehicle
Get your vehicle winter-ready with a maintenance check-up. Carry an ice scraper and washer fluid effective to -40oC. Keep your fuel tank at least half full. Consider installing four winter tires. You’re eligible for an auto insurance discount if you use them!
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Plan ahead, use your judgment
Plan your trip, locate your stops and check the weather. Check road conditions and closures on our website, Twitter account or call 511 for hands- free voice-activated service. Use your judgment too – delaying your trip may be the best option. If you’re on the road when conditions worsen, find a safe place to pull well off and wait.
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Be prepared
Have emergency supplies with you – a charged cell phone, non-perishable food, water, flashlight, blanket, warm clothes, jumper cables, shovel and traction mats or sand.
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Slow down, stay alert and in control
Many winter collisions occur because drivers are going too fast for road conditions. Slow down and allow extra space between you and other vehicles.
Focus on your driving and put away cell phones and other distractions. Look for reflections on the road – what looks like water may actually be ice.
Steer gently on curves and in slippery conditions. Hard braking, quick acceleration and abrupt gear changes can cause you to skid. Avoid using cruise control on wet, snowy or icy pavement – it reduces your reaction time and vehicle control. If you do skid, release your brakes and steer in the direction you want to go. Be careful not to over steer.
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Share the road and watch for snowplows
Avoid crowding into the lane of on-coming traffic – this can result in head-on collisions.
Drive slowly near working snowplows and don’t pass them – it’s dangerous. Be patient and give them room. They will pull off once they reach the end of their route.
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Obey road closures
Do not drive on closed roads – it’s against the law. Always obey emergency closure signs and follow the directions of police officers. Remember – the roads are closed for your safety!
Car troubles
If you experience car trouble, we recommend that you stay in your vehicle to avoid personal injury.
It is dangerous to stop on the shoulder of a 400- series highway and this should be done only in an emergency. If you must stop, drive unto the shoulder. In non emergency situations, exit the highway at an interchange or the nearest service center.
On any other roadway, drivers must be off the road, not impeding traffic and lawfully parked to use a mobile phone or hand held device.
It is illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial or email using a hand-held mobile phone and other hand-held communications and entertainment devices. Using a hand-held device while driving carries a fine of $490.00 and 3 demerit points. Hands-free use and emergency calls to 911 are allowed.
Remember, dialing 911 on your cell phone will connect you with the nearest emergency services contact centre. Please use 1-888-310-1122 for non-emergencies.
