After the first significant snowfall of the season, the roads are often clogged with slow-moving traffic as people try to adjust to conditions that they have not encountered in months. Drivers may lose control of their vehicles and skid into ditches or collide with vehicles ahead of them at traffic lights or stop signs. Every year, drivers must become accustomed to the challenges of driving in winter. With care and preparation, however, drivers can learn to drive safely and to handle whatever conditions they encounter.

Regular maintenance is an important aspect of vehicle ownership, regardless of the climate. In areas with cold winters, however, the issue is even more important than elsewhere, as a vehicle breakdown away from immediate help can potentially be deadly. As the Canada.ca website notes, winterizing a vehicle is important for ensuring that all systems are working well and that the vehicle will not break down at an awkward time, possibly leaving the occupants stranded far away from help.

Winterizing a Vehicle

The basics of winterizing a vehicle are fairly standard, although some of the details may vary. Before winter, drivers should make sure to have a technician check the battery, lights, brakes, exhaust system, heating and cooling system, tires, and windshield wipers. This will ensure that the vehicle is in good working order so that drivers can concentrate on safety and other aspects of running a vehicle.   

While keeping these features working properly is important at any time of the year, it is essential in winter, when a breakdown can leave people stranded in the cold, possibly for hours. Having a good exhaust system is vital, for example, as the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning is very real when drivers tend to keep the engine running for long periods of time to stay warm. Properly functioning windshield wipers and winter tires can also be helpful for keeping vehicles running smoothly.

A well-maintained vehicle is helpful for driving safely on the road, but winter driving still has many hazards to avoid. Ice can make wheels lose their grip on the road and cause skidding, while snow can cause vehicles to get stuck. For skids, drivers should remember to release the accelerator and steer into the skid. Dealing with deep snow can be more difficult, but drivers can learn techniques to help make the process easier. Staying as much as possible in the well-travelled tracks on the road can help, and a good set of winter tires can give the vehicle the extra traction it needs to get through much of the snow on the road.

Listening for weather warnings in winter is important, since falling snow can decrease visibility and increase the likelihood of sliding. When blizzards are in the forecast, it can be the best choice to avoid driving until the weather improves. However, if it is necessary to go out, drivers can take precautions such as using main streets rather than side streets as much as possible. Allowing extra time to allow for driving slowly in winter can help drivers take extra precautions.

Road Clearing     

Dealing with snowplows and other snow clearing equipment is also an issue in winter. When leaving a vehicle parked on a street, drivers should be sure to check for any signs by the side of the road which indicate a temporary ban on parking. Sometimes, this may be a permanent Snow Route sign which indicates that during the winter months, the road must be clear of vehicles during the hours indicated. At other times, snow clearing crews will put up temporary signs indicating that vehicles must be off the road at certain times to allow for snow clearing.

Besides the issue of road clearing, drivers should watch for other potential problems while parking along the roads in winter. For example, fire hydrants might be hard to see in the snow, but drivers can avoid accidentally parking by one look for the tall plastic pole that normally indicates the fire hydrant’s location. Drivers should also avoid parking by driveways, sidewalks, or even informal paths that people have cleared in the snow.

Driving in winter generally takes more thought and preparation than in other seasons. In very cold weather, drivers may wish to plug their vehicles into a power source a few hours before leaving so that the engine will not be completely cold when they return. When parking outside, it is also a good idea to allow a few extra minutes for clearing the snow and ice off the vehicle and for warming it up to a reasonably comfortable temperature.

Emergency Kits

A well-stocked emergency kit is an important item to leave in the vehicle over winter. The Canadian Automobile Association website lists close to twenty items that should be in a standard emergency kit, including a flashlight, a shovel, a snow brush and scraper, extra socks and gloves, bottles of water, granola bars, and more. Even in small vehicles with limited space, drivers should keep a basic emergency kit with them at all times. For example, a basic first aid kit can help drivers and passengers deal with minor cuts and scrapes that could potentially be dangerous or at least uncomfortable.

In the past when a vehicle became stranded along the road, the only choices were either to wait for someone to come by or to walk to the next town or farm for help. With cell phones, people are likely to be able to call a tow truck right from their vehicle, but only if the phone is working. As the CAA website notes, batteries tend to die quickly in the cold, which could make a cell phone useless after a short time. Having a second cell phone or a way to recharge the batteries can help.

The dangers of driving in winter depend to a large extent on where and how far people intend to travel. Someone who drives only short distances to work, school or errands, for example, is unlikely to need an extensive emergency kit. Similarly, someone who always parks indoors may never encounter the need to scrape ice off the windows. However, knowing the issues related to driving in winter is important for all Canadians.