Tips to Help Winter Drivers Protect Themselves, Passengers

Published by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal and the Emergency Management Office

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Preparing for winter road conditions now, will help drivers and passengers arrive home safely later in the season. Now that temperatures have dropped, snow and ice can be expected at any time on provincial roads and drivers should be ready.

Quotes

“ Winter sneaks up on all of us, especially this year with the unseasonably warm weather we've had. But this is Nova Scotia and winter road conditions will happen. ” Maurice Smith, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal

“ Along with taking your time on the road, getting your vehicle ready for winter is the best thing you can do for yourself and your passengers to ensure you all arrive safely at your destination. ” Maurice Smith, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal

“ When Nova Scotians dress their children in mittens and boots, it is the time to check vehicle tires and pack a winter car kit. Jumper cables, warning flares, a shovel, traction sand or road salt, and a tow rope will be extremely useful if stuck in snow. ” Ross Landry, Emergency Management Minister

“ Preparation makes a huge difference when it comes to safe winter driving. That means making sure the vehicle has been properly winterized, but it also means driving according to the road conditions when the winter weather arrives. ” Const. Sherri Curley, RCMP Traffic Services unit

“ Recent temperatures prove that winter is coming so preparing your vehicle by ensuring your tires and car fluids are appropriate for the season, along with making sure everything is operational, makes great safety sense. At Safety Services, we encourage workplaces to provide winter driving tips to employees to ensure they get to work safely all year. ” Jackie Norman, president and CEO, Safety Services Nova Scotia

Quick Facts

  • The Emergency Management Office encourages Nova Scotians to carry an emergency kit in vehicles.
  • This year, the province is teaming up with the RCMP, Safety Services Nova Scotia and auto service professionals at Canadian Tire to demonstrate the top 10 winter driving safety tips. Among the tips are how to assess the tread wear on tires, when to replace worn windshield wipers and the importance of winter windshield wash.
  • The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal also advises motorists to check road conditions before heading out by calling 511, and to stay well back of snowplows and winter maintenance vehicles. Operators' visibility can be limited by blowing snow.
  • Information on road conditions is available by dialing 511 for provincial highway conditions, or 1-888-432-3233 for local road information.
  • Ensuring roads are safe is a key priority for government and an essential part of the province's 5-year highway improvement plan, which details record-breaking investments in Nova Scotia roads, highways and bridges.

Learn More

Media Contact

Pam Menchenton
Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
902-424-1750
Cell: 902-719-4950
E-mail:

Images

RCMP Const. Sherrie Curley and Al LeBlanc at the safe winter driving event in Halifax.
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Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Maurice Smith looks on as a service technician explains tire tread wear.
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Emergency Management Minister Ross Landry and Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Maurice Smith do the "dime" test to check tire tread wear.
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Emergency Management Minister Ross Landry smiles while speaking about the importance of winter preparedness.
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Emergency Management Minister Ross Landry talks about winter essentials for a car emergency kit.
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Videos

Preparing Your Car for Winter
Safe Winter Driving Tips

Audio

Jackie Norman, Safety Services Nova Scotia, encourages people to prepare for driving during the winter.
David Warner with Canadian Tire, suggests people use a dime to check the tread on their winter tires.