Safe winter driving: 6 hazards and how to manage them
December 21, 2011
Unpredictable winter weather conditions and fewer hours of light can place extra demands on your vehicle and your driving skills. Heed the following hazards and precautions.
1. Poor traction. Before you turn off the ignition, move your vehicle back and forth 1 to 2 metres (4-5 feet). This packs the heavy snow for easier starting.When pulling out, use a light foot on the accelerator, easing forward gently. Don’t spin your wheels. In deep snow, try turning your wheels from side to side to push the snow.
2. Reduced ability to stop. Stopping on ice- and snow-covered roads requires 3 to 12 times the distance needed on dry roads. Test studies show that the heavier the vehicle, the greater the stopping distance. The simple answer: leave a greater following distance between you and the vehicle in front. Gearing down also helps bring you to a safe stop.
The recommended safe following distance under ideal conditions is one second for each three metres
(10 feet) of vehicle length. For example, an 18-metre tractor-trailer combination following distance is six seconds. Widen this gap in the winter according to current conditions.
3. Starting and stopping. Braking on ice is never easy, but asthe temperature rises ice becomeseven more slippery. For example,your braking distance can doublewith a temperature variation fromzero to -18° C. Check the feel ofthe road when you start out and atregular intervals on your trip.
4. Slippery surfaces. Tires that spin andslide on snow and ice polishthe surface. This greatly reducestraction on already hazardous roadsurfaces, most often atintersections, on curves and on hills.The slippery road surface increasesbraking distances and slows traffic. Compensate by slowing down early whenapproaching a slippery intersection,curve or hill. Consider gearingdown to start the slowing process.
Watch out for black ice. The road ahead may appear to be black and shiny asphalt. Beware: it may be covered by a thin layer of ice known as black ice. Generally, in the winter, asphalt is a grey-white colour. If you see a black surface ahead, slow down and brake smoothly and gently. Proceed with caution.
5. Reduced ability to see and be seen. Before starting your trip, clean off the entire windshield, all the windows, and the roof of your vehicle. Wipe off the headlights, turn signals, and stop and tail lights so that others can see you.
Road splatter can leave you blind. Use your windshield washer often. To prevent a windshield freeze-up, be sure you use washer fluid that’s right for the winter temperatures in your area, and don‘t dilute it. This will weaken its effectiveness.
Before using the washer fluid, prepare the windshield by heating it with a full blast of the defroster. Run your heater and defroster for a few minutes before you start out. This prevents sudden fogging of your windshield.
At night, stop occasionally to clean the headlights. In fog or heavy snowfall, keep lights on low beam and adjust your speed according to the conditions.
Techniques for skillful winter driving
Keep the following general tips in mind while driving this winter.
· Start smoothly. Don’t spin your tires.
· Control your speed. Take it slow. Adjust to the road conditions.
· Take hills cautiously. Reduce speed at the crest of hills so you’re prepared for what’s on the other side.
· Apply steering control smoothly, avoiding sudden moves leading to a skid.
· Signal your intentions well in advance. Plan lane changes early.
· Watch for reduced clearances at underpasses due to accumulated ice or packed snow.
· Don’t tailgate. Leave enough room ahead of you for an unexpected stop.
· Stop safely without ABS (antilock brake system) brakes: a rapid light pumping of the brakes is a recommended way to stop on ice. Note that this method will increase your overall stopping distance.
· Stop safely with ABS brakes: the system will pump the brakes for you if your wheels begin to lock up. This lets you maintain steering control.
How we can help
Listed below is a sampling of resources offered by Workplace Safety & Prevention Services and Workplace Safety North: