Road Rules for Safe Winter

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Road Rules for Safe Winter Driving

Winter conditions can bring considerable challenges for even the most seasoned driver.

"Poor visibility and slippery roads can make it very difficult to control your vehicle if you don't take proper precautions," says Marie Harringon, with Service Nova Scotia's Registry of Motor Vehicles division. "And your chances of being in an accident or being stranded increase if you and your car aren't ready for winter conditions."

Ms. Harrington has been with the driver testing program for 13 years. She says there are ways drivers can better protect themselves, and their car, from the hazards of winter driving. Here are some timely tips to help you get where you're going safely and on time this winter.

Ensure that your car is ready for winter by having it fully inspected before the bad weather approaches. Ms. Harrington advises using proper winter or all-season tires with good treads. Pack your trunk with a scraper, snow brush, windshield washer, salt or sand, a lock de-icer, jumper cables, a flashlight, and first aid kit. Try not to let your gas tank get to empty, just in case you find yourself stuck or stranded by weather or road conditions.

Always check the forecast and the road report for your area, your travel route and your destination before heading out on the road. Road reports are just a phone call away starting in early December. Motorists can call 1-800-307-SNOW (7669), or 424-3933 in Halifax/Dartmouth.

If at all possible, do not drive during a storm. Instead, wait for conditions to improve. Roads tend to be most slippery during the first 10 minutes of a storm, so if you must go out, drive slowly and cautiously. Major highways are cleared first and salted more frequently, so try to stick to well-traveled roads for increased safety.

When heading out after a snowstorm, be sure to clear your car of any snow or ice to improve your visibility. If you make a sudden stop, snow on your car roof could slide down on your windshield and reduce or block visibility. It can also create blizzard-like conditions for motorists behind you. Snow on your signal lights can also make it hard for other motorists to anticipate your actions.

The change of season demands a change in our driving habits: the speed you normally drive may not be appropriate for winter conditions. Generally, it's a good idea to slow down when driving on wet and slush-covered roads and to avoid any sudden stops.

Put a safe distance between you and the driver ahead of you. It can take up to 12 times longer to stop on icy or snow-covered roads.

Snow and ice can make roads very slippery, especially when the temperature is near or below freezing. Black ice is especially dangerous. While six metres is a safe stopping distance for a car traveling 30 kilometres per hour on dry pavement, you should allow for 22 metres on packed snow and 52 metres on black ice.

Never pass a snow plow when it is clearing snow from a single- lane road. Remember, whiteout conditions are often created in front of snow plows, which reduces visibility and increases the chance of an accident. Be extremely careful following a snow plow and use extra caution if you are attempting to pass a snow plow on a multi-lane road or highway.

It's a good idea to have a winter survival kit on hand, particularly if you are planning a trip, or if you drive a lot in winter. A good survival kit should include:

• a thick blanket
• candles
• book of matches
• a food pack of non-perishable items (nuts, dried fruit, juice boxes, chocolate)
• extra clothes
• a deep can, for melting snow or holding a candle
• a plastic garbage bag, which can provide a vapor barrier for your clothes
• newspaper, for additional warmth
• a flash flag for your aerial

If you do find yourself stuck or stranded, don't panic. Try to stay with your vehicle if you can to make it easier for a roadside assistance crew to find you. To keep warm, run your engine for 10- to 15-minute intervals, but be sure to roll down your windows slightly and check your exhaust pipe for blockage to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, try to keep moving to prevent hypothermia.

If you would like further information on how to stay safe on Nova Scotia's highways this winter, visit our website at www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr , or call us at Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations' Registry of Motor Vehicles office, 902-424- 5851 or toll-free in Nova Scotia at 1-800-898-7668.