Safe Winter Driving Tips

Posted On Monday January 14, 2019

IBC’s top-10 tips for safe winter driving include:

  1. Drive according to the road conditions. 

    • Heed the warnings from Environment Canada’s local weather offices.
  2. Tune up your car. 

    • Check your vehicle’s battery, belts, hoses, radiat?or, coolant/antifreeze, oil, lights, brakes, exhaust system, heater/defroster, ignition system and tires.
  3. Check the wipers regularly and carry an extra jug of windshield-washer fluid in your vehicle.

  4. Inspect the tires and check the ?tire pressure at least once a month??? in cold weather.

  5. Install four winter tires.  
    • Winter tires allow you to stop up to 40% sooner than all-season tires and significantly improve your vehicle’s handling in winter weather.
  6. Keep the gas tank topped up.

  7. Always carry an emergency kit.  

    • Include extra antifreeze, a flashlight, batteries, blankets, a candle, matches, hazard markers, a snow shovel, an ice scraper and brush, the phone number of a local towing company, sand, booster cables and food.
  8. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to arrive.

  9. Bring a map or GPS and plan an alternative route.

  10. Carry a charged cell phone.

 

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada