4 Winter driving safety tips
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We have been fortunate with relatively mild weather so far this season, but we know that the real winter weather is just around the corner! We thought it would be a great time to share some winter driving safety tips for the snowy days (and roads) ahead.
Winter Driving Safety Tip #1: Winterize Your Vehicle
Winterizing your vehicle and ensuring that it is in good running condition is always recommended before heading out on the road in cold weather. If you are not mechanically inclined, most auto body shops offer a basic “winterization” package.
Important items to check are:
- Tires
- Hoses and belts
- Battery
- Brakes
- Heater and Defroster
- Wiper Blades, washer fluid and antifreeze
Winter Driving Safety Tip #2: Carry an Emergency Kit
It is a good idea to carry an emergency safety kit in your vehicle, especially when traveling long distances.
Important items to include are:
- Food (non-perishable items) and bottled water
- Extra clothing, including boots, toques, mitts, and gloves
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Blanket, candles and matches
- Shovel and tow ropes
- Flares and flashlight
- Maps
- Sand/salt (or kitty litter)
- Jumper cables (good to have year-round)
Note: many retailers, such as Canadian Tire, sell emergency safety kits that contain most of these items.
Winter Driving Safety Tip #3: Take Extra Caution
When winter driving, take extra caution and stay up-to-date on weather and road conditions. In the event of a storm, it is best to stay off the road if at all possible. It is also good to regularly check your tire pressure, clear windows and clean headlights and tail lights, and keep your fuel tank at minimum 1/2 full.
Winter Driving Safety Tip #4: Use Winter Tires
A large factor in safe driving is having the proper tires on your vehicle. When traveling on Alberta roads, winter tires as an absolute must!
Tires are one of the things on a vehicle that take the most beating, and they also pose a particularly big hazard should they fail. A bad blowout while driving on a slippery, icy road can cause you to spin out of control in a split second. Even those who are lucky enough to escape a serious blowout can suffer damages to the axle and wheel of their car, which can be expensive to repair.
Choosing the correct winter tire, and knowing when to replace them, can sometimes spell the difference between life and death. Back in 2017 the Tilbury Auto Mall put out a great winter tire guide, which is still relevent and can be seen below. The guide provides some great information for car owners who are unsure of what kind of tire to get for their vehicle.
Stay warm and drive safe this winter!
Your Costen Insurance Team