The Four Ps of Safe Winter Driving

Driving is among the riskier activities a person can undertake during a normal day. It’s even more hazardous in winter. Cold, seasonal weather (like snow, ice, sleet, and freezing rain) and slick roadways require all motorists to rethink their driving habits. By following the “Four Ps” of winter driving—preparation, planning, patience, and practice—you can help keep Ontario’s road safe for everyone.

 

PREPARATION

 

Preparation for the workplace

Whether employees use a vehicle to transport goods or attend to client needs, or simply drive to get to and from work, the workplace can set a strong example by adopting policies and reinforcing procedures that take winter driving seriously.

 
Winter driving policy

A winter driving policy sets out goals and expectations for how all employees maintain and operate their vehicles during winter. The policy can be part of an overall road safety policy or health and safety program policy. It should:

  • Cover all employees who drive while at work
  • Promote safe driving practices that reduce exposure to winter hazards
  • Describe the responsibilities of various workplace parties with regard to these practices
  • Meet (but preferably, exceed) minimum requirements of relevant legislation
 
Winter driving procedures

Documenting safe-driving procedures and reviewing them with all workers can help ensure drivers are ready for winter conditions before they arrive. Some procedures that may be useful to outline include:

  • Pre-trip assessment: The process of evaluating a work-related trip’s necessity, and making it as safe as possible. For example: whether the work can be done virtually instead of in-person; whether alternative modes of transportation (such as public transit) may be used; whether certain routes may be safer than others.
  • Working alone: If workers are driving alone, how often are they required to check in with headquarters or a supervisor? Should they file a route plan and ETA before setting out?
  • Fitness for driving: Workers should meet minimum requirements for safe driving, such as being well rested, well nourished, and well hydrated—and free of any medical concerns that could make operating a vehicle risky.
  • Personal protective equipment: The PPE drivers should have in case of emergency, such as a high-visibility vest if they must exit their vehicle at the roadside. The procedure can also include guidance about proper attire for winter driving.
 

Preparation for vehicles

Ensure your vehicle is capable of handling the challenges of snowy, slushy, and icy roads.

 
Pre-winter maintenance

Taking your vehicle for a pre-winter service appointment can identify issues that could make winter driving more difficult or treacherous—anything from a weak battery to worn brake pads.

 
Winter tires

Winter tires are specially designed to provide better traction and stopping power on snowy and icy roads—and whenever temperatures dip below 7 degrees Celsius. Many insurance companies now offer a premium discount when you use winter tires.

 
More ways to winterize

Additional ways to prep your vehicle for winter conditions include:

  • Ensuring the proper functioning of windshield wipers—and replacing them if they are damaged or ineffective.
  • Carrying a snow brush/ice scraper, so you can clear snow and ice from your vehicle before departing on any trip.
  • Using winter-grade washer fluid—and keeping an additional bottle or two in the vehicle.
  • Keeping your fuel tank topped up, or at least half full. This protects against condensation building up in the tank, which can then freeze and block the fuel line.
 

Preparation for workers

Employees should strive to ensure they are properly equipped to drive safely and comfortably—and to stay safe in case of emergency.

 
Emergency kit and other supplies

Having an emergency kit in your vehicle can be a lifesaver in the event of a winter-driving incident or mechanical breakdown. A well-stocked kit should contain things like first-aid supplies, a warm blanket, reflective pylons, a high-vis vest, flashlight, collapsible shovel, and traction mats or sand. You may also wish to pack personal items like extra clothes, bottled water, and food such as energy bars. And don’t forget your cell phone and charger!

 
Emergency plan and roadside assistance

It’s vital to know what to do if the unexpected occurs and you find yourself stuck in your vehicle at the roadside. Don’t panic. Stay with your vehicle for warmth and safety. In an emergency, call 911. For non-emergency situations, it may be advisable to have a roadside assistance plan (e.g., through your workplace, vehicle manufacturer, insurance company, or the Canadian Automobile Association).

 
Winter driving skills

Review best practices for winter road safety. Workers who are not comfortable driving in winter conditions may wish to ask their employer for winter-driving training—to learn and practise safe braking, skid control, and other important techniques.

 

PLANNING

 

With pre-season preparation taken care of, planning means thinking ahead about how to help each individual trip go smoothly. Consider these questions:

 

What route will I be taking?

Before departing, you should know exactly how to get to your destination. Confusion or uncertainty regarding navigation can lead to mistakes while driving. Plan a secondary route, too, in case conditions make your main route unsafe.

 

Can I make stops along the way?

For longer trips, identify service centres, rest areas, and other places where you can stop safely if you need fuel, become tired, or if the weather becomes hazardous.

 

How long will the trip take?

Determine how long the trip typically takes (at the time when you will be on the road). Then give yourself extra time—to allow for changes to weather or traffic conditions, and to avoid the stress of feeling rushed.

 

Does anyone know where I’m going?

Once you know you route, departure time, and expected arrival time, let your employer or supervisor—and/or a family member or friend—know of your travel plans.

 

What is the weather forecast?

Use a trusted source (e.g., the Environment Canada website, the Weather Network app) to check the weather forecast for your destination and along your route.

 

What are the road conditions?

Check out the Ontario 511 web and mobile app, which provides real-time information on road conditions, incidents and closures, and other hazards as reported by Ministry of Transportation field staff and more than 600 highway cameras. The app also features a handy “Track My Plow” function with location details for maintenance vehicles that are currently plowing or salting provincial highways.

 

PATIENCE

 

The old adage, “Patience is a virtue” doesn’t go far enough when it comes to winter driving. Behind the wheel, patience is a must. Risky behaviours like driving too fast and following too closely—two of the main causes of winter collisions—become even more dangerous on slippery roads or under poor visibility. Having patience and adjusting your driving to the weather, road, and traffic conditions can help you maintain control of your vehicle.

 

Decrease your speed

Posted speed limits indicate safe speeds for driving under ideal conditions. Often in winter, conditions are decidedly not ideal. You may have to drive significantly slower than normal on snowy or icy roads, to reduce the possibility of losing control of your vehicle.

 

Increase your following distance

Even with winter tires, snow or ice on the road means your vehicle needs three to 12 times the amount of space to stop (versus on a dry road). Allowing more space between your vehicle and the one in front of you increases your margin of safety. Make four seconds of following distance your minimum for winter: pick a stationary object such as a road sign, and count the seconds after the vehicle in front of you passes it. Four seconds should elapse before you pass the same object.

 

Avoid abrupt manoeuvres

Winter is no time for making sudden lane changes, accelerating to get through an amber light, or blasting off from a stop sign. The more hurried your driving, the more likely you are to lose control.

 

Give yourself lots of time

Ultimately, you give yourself the ability to drive cautiously and without stress by leaving extra time to get to your destination. If weather or road conditions change during your trip, you’ll be able to safely account for them.

 

PRACTICE

 

Preparation, planning, and patience help to take some of the stress out of winter driving. Of course, when you’re behind the wheel, you need to put that knowledge of safe driving into practice. This comes down to using defensive driving techniques and sharing the road responsibly with others. IHSA can help to improve your awareness of safe-driving practices in our half-day Defensive Driving courses for commercial and G-class drivers.

 

Slow down

Speed is almost always a factor in winter collisions. Under slippery road conditions, driving safely may mean driving more slowly than the posted speed limit.

 

Leave space

Likewise, increase your following distance “time interval” to at least four seconds. This will help ensure you have space to brake safely if the vehicle in front of you stops unexpectedly.

 

Eliminate distractions

It is illegal in Ontario to use a cell phone or other handheld device while driving. Doing so takes your focus off the road and poses a significant hazard. In challenging winter conditions, it’s a good idea to control other distractions, too, such as talking (hands-free) on the phone or listening to the radio.

 

Be aware of your surroundings

Distraction-free driving means you can be more observant of road conditions. Look ahead for signs of hazards. For example, a reflection on the road may indicate black ice, while flat, barren roadsides may pose a risk of blowing snow.

 

Use smooth handling

Steer gently into curves and turns, and brake and accelerate gradually. Making abrupt, overly forceful manoeuvres in slippery conditions can cause your vehicle to skid.

 

Forget cruise control

Using cruise control increases your reaction time (and reduces your ability to control your vehicle) if you need to slow down or stop unexpectedly. On a wet, snowy, or icy road, that can be the difference between a safe trip and a serious collision.

 

Share the road responsibly

Part of being a defensive driver is respecting everyone else on the road, being aware of what they are doing, and understanding that certain vehicles need more space to operate.

 
Emergency vehicles

Slow down to at least 60 km/hour (or less if the posted speed limit is lower) when approaching ambulances, police vehicles, fire trucks, or tow trucks that are stopped on the road or roadside with their lights flashing. And move over to the far lane if it’s safe to do so. Emergency responders need as much space as possible to do their job safely.

 
Commercial vehicles

Take care when driving near transport trucks, buses, and other large vehicles. They have sizable blind spots, and need more space to safely stop and turn. In winter weather, their size can also create visibility hazards for smaller vehicles, such as:

  • Flying slush: Commercial vehicles’ numerous, large tires can kick back a mist of water or slush onto to the windshields of vehicles behind them.
  • Blowing snow: At highway speeds, large vehicles create air turbulence that can throw up blowing snow.

It always a good idea to drive with extra caution and care when near commercial vehicles. The need to do so is even greater in winter.

 
Snowplows

Snowplows may be slow, but they are incredibly important to maintaining safety on our roads during and after a snowfall. If you find yourself behind a plow, be patient and give it lots of room to work. Here are a few more tips for sharing the road with snowplows:

  • Prefer not to pass: The cleared road behind a plow is safer than the snow-covered road in front of it.
  • Stay well back: Plowing activity can throw up clouds of snow, reducing visibility to near zero.
  • Watch for width: Plows clear a wide path and may cross into the adjacent lane and/or shoulder when in use. On multi-lane roads, snowplows may be wider than one lane or there may be two or three plows working together.
  • Beware of blind spots: A plow driver’s field of vision is very limited. You may see the plow, but its operator may not see you.