| During the winter, driving can be risky and difficult | | | | storm. Keep your cell phone on at all times so |
| at times. Before you can even think straight, you | | | | you will be able to make that quick call. |
| are slamming on the brakes and plowing into a | | | | Now that you are ready to depart for winter |
| head-on collision. Unfortunately this scenario plays | | | | travel, here are some tips to help you stay safe |
| out several times during the winter travel season. | | | | while driving. |
| As a seasoned driver you may think you can | | | | 1) Allow extra distance between cars. |
| handle the winter roads, but one factor that you | | | | 2) When you realize you are on ice, accelerate |
| may be overlooking is the inexperienced, unaware | | | | slowly and brake steadily. Do not slam on the |
| drivers. | | | | brakes. Make sure you are continuously pumping |
| There are definitely tips and precautions you can | | | | the brakes until you can come to a safe stop. |
| put into practice to make sure you are fully | | | | 3) If you do start sliding on the ice, make sure |
| prepared for safe winter travel. Do not try to act | | | | you always steer into the skid. This means steer |
| brave and assume no precautions need to be | | | | the car in the direction of the backend. Do not |
| taken because of your years of driving | | | | jerk the car as this will send you into a spin. |
| experience. As this may be true, not even | | | | 4) If you have ABS, remember in the winter |
| experienced drivers can always control a car on | | | | weather this system will need more distance to |
| ice. The ice overtakes control of the automobile | | | | come to a complete stop. |
| leaving you the one without control. | | | | 5) The most important tip is to stay alert and |
| Here are some tips to plan and have organized | | | | keep your eyes on the road at all times during |
| before driving in the winter: | | | | winter travel. |
| 1) Dress appropriately for the winter driving. In | | | | If you are unsure of how to drive in the winter, |
| case of an accident you want to keep warm in | | | | then you may want to consider taking an |
| order to have free movement and not be | | | | advanced driving course for winter weather. Here |
| restricted. | | | | are a few winter driving courses to consider: |
| 2) View the weather reports on your local station | | | | Ottawa Area - |
| or go to The Weather Network to check on local | | | | East GTA Area - [ |
| conditions before doing any winter travel. | | | | Eastern Ontario Area - |
| 3) Make sure you are well rested and alert before | | | | West GTA Area - |
| you get into the car. During winter driving, you | | | | As always, the best option is to stay off the |
| need to be awake and have full attention on your | | | | roads during severe winter weather. If this is not |
| driving. | | | | an option, then make sure to use the above tips |
| 4) Prepare the car with non-perishable items and | | | | to be prepared for your winter travel. |
| plenty of water incase you are caught in a snow | | | | |