Living in Ontario generally means that snow and ice are going to be a part of your winter driving experience and being well prepared before getting behind the wheel makes sense. Driving in winter can mean slippery or snow-covered roads, extreme cold and poor visibility and brings the increased risk of being stuck in your car in very cold conditions
5 tips to make sure you’re prepared for your next winter road trip
Install Winter Tires
If you haven’t already, consider installing winter tires. Winter tires are specifically designed to provide traction in adverse winter conditions and can reduce the risk of accidents. Though installing winter tires is not mandatory on Ontario, your insurance policy may offer a discount for using winter tires. A general rule of thumb is to install winter tires when temperatures consistently stay at 7C or below.
Have an Emergency Kit
Assemble a winter emergency kit for your car and keep it stowed in your trunk for easy access. Your kit should include:
- an emergency blanket,
- some additional warm clothing,
- bottled water
- non-perishable food such as energy bars
- a first-aid kit with seatbelt cutter,
- a small shovel
- a candle in a deep can and matches or a lighter
- wind-up flashlight
- a whistle to attract attention
- roadmaps
Extra Items
Make sure you have these additional items in your trunk:
- Sand, salt or kitty litter (the non-clumping kind)
- Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid
- Tow rope
- Jumper cables
- Road flares
- Winter boots if you aren’t wearing them
Drive carefully
Remember that driving in the winter, even on bare roads, may require a longer stopping distance. Always maintain an ample space between yourself and any vehicle in front of you and slow down if necessary.
When in doubt, pull over
Pull off the road in a safe spot if your visibility is impeded by driving snow or driving conditions are poor. Remember that road shoulders can be icy and can have deep snow. Assess carefully before pulling off to avoid getting stuck.
Use extra caution if weather reports call for poor driving conditions and consider delaying your trip until the weather improves. Accidents can happen even when you’re being careful. Contact us to find out how your auto insurance policy can help in the event of a winter driving mishap.
