Winter Driving Tips for Alberta Motorists

Keep your vehicles in shape for winter driving
• Winterize your vehicles. This should include an examination of the spare tire, battery, belts, hoses, anti-freeze, tires, brakes, heater, defroster and windshield wipers.

• Carry an emergency road kit in your vehicle’s trunk or cargo space.

• Clear all snow and ice completely off windows, side view mirrors, headlights, taillights and licence plates.

• Buckle up and adjust head restraints. The centre of your head restraint should be even with the top of your ears.

• Try to keep your vehicle’s fuel tank more than half full. The extra volume can help reduce moisture problems in your fuel system and it adds extra weight to your vehicle. A topped-up gas tank will also be an asset if you become stranded.

Don’t expect clear and dry summer highway conditions in the winter
The Alberta government and its highway maintenance contractors work hard to keep Alberta’s highways clear and open to traffic during the winter. However, some severe storms exceed their ability to keep highways free of snow and ice. This may be caused by the amount of snow, timing or duration of the storm, high winds, freezing rain or a combination of all of these factors.

Drive cautiously during bad weather
• Slow down when conditions aren’t ideal. The posted speed limit is intended for ideal road conditions. Even if road signs say you may drive 110 km/h, that doesn’t mean you should if the road is icy or snow-covered.

• Motorists have a legal obligation to drive according to road conditions. You can be charged with a traffic offence by police if you are found not to be doing so.

• Unless travel is absolutely necessary, stay off the roads during major storms.

• Stay back from snowplows. They will let you pass every five to eight kilometres or when it is safe to do so.

• Plan the best route to your destination ahead of time.

• Keep your headlights on all the time – don’t rely on daytime running lights. Low beams are more effective than high beams in fog or heavy snow conditions.

• Never use cruise control in winter conditions.

• When travelling on snowy roads, try driving outside of the previous tire tracks to give you some extra traction. This also helps when there are shiny ruts in the road.

• Signal well in advance of turning to give other motorists time to anticipate and react to your actions. Check your rearview and side mirrors, and always shoulder check before changing lanes.

• Avoid sudden moves by anticipating turns or lane changes. Abrupt changes in direction or slamming on the brakes could cause you to spin out of control.

• On a wet or slick surface, allow yourself at least three times the normal following distance to stop.

• Remember that bridge decks may be slippery even when other parts of the highway are not, since they are subject to greater temperature fluctuations.

• Know your braking system and how it reacts on ice. Always be gentle with braking pressure on slick roads.

• Avoid braking on curves by driving through them at a safe, steady speed.

• Accelerate slightly when approaching a hill and then maintain a steady speed going up.

• Gear down for both uphill climbs and downhill grades. This can help you avoid brake wear and chances of sliding. But be careful of abrupt downshifting as it can upset a vehicle’s balance and cause a skid to occur, particularly when turning.

• Take your foot off the brake if your vehicle begins to skid and steer in the direction you want to go. When the wheels regain their grip, brake firmly and smoothly.

• If you are driving a rear-wheel drive, prepare to steer just enough in the opposite direction in order to prevent a counter skid.