In Canada, winters can be long and cold. 30% of all car accidents in Canada happen during the snowy blizzard months. Preparing your car for winter will help prevent yourself from being in that 30%.

Replacing your tires with a set of winter tires will be a huge start to safe winter travel. All season tires seem like a good choice but in order to be usable in all seasons they are not equipped for temperatures that drop well below zero.

Listed below are three reasons why a winter tire is much safer.

  • Rubber Tread- freezing temperatures cause many materials to freeze and become hard and non-pliable. The compound that makes up the rubber used in all season tires does just that. At colder temperatures all season tires become less pliable, while the rubber that makes up winter tires is built for the below zero temperatures.
  • Depth and pattern of tread-  winter tires have a deeper tread to prevent build up of snow on the tire. The pattern of winter tires are also designed to channel snow and slush better while expelling water.
  • Biting Edges- winter tires are covered in biting edges or tiny slits that help the tire to grip the surface it is driving on.

Make sure to check your tire pressure regularly to prevent a blowout while in less than ideal road conditions.

Another great step is having a certified mechanic look over the vehicle, making sure all fluids are topped off including the washer fluid. Windshield washer fluid is important in the winter do to the salt and sand used as well as slushy conditions, a clean windshield will make it easier to portray obstacles that maybe in the way.

Along with having windshield washer fluid, having a good set of wipers blades will help with visibility as well. To maximize efficiency using winter wiper blades are the better choice. Winter wiper blades and winter washer fluid are both formulated not to freeze or harden in freezing temperatures. The rubber used in the blades is a similar rubber to that used in winter tires.

In the event that an accident does happen having a fully equipped emergency kit could be the difference between life and death.

Cst. K. VanDeSype of the Green Lake RCMP recommends having booster cables, warm clothes, food (non perishable), a first aid kit and a flashlight in your emergency kit.

Below is a list of suggestions that may also be good to include in an emergency kit

  • survival blanket
  • knife/axe
  • candles
  • extra fuel
  • fire wood
  • lighter/matches
  • flares
  • Pet food (If have a pet)
  • dry Baby formula and diapers (if have a baby)
  • Phone charger
  • batteries
  • emergency cash
  • whistle
  • prescription drugs

When heading out in winter, planning your route ahead of time is key. Plan your route while keeping in mind weather reports, highway hotline reports and time. In winter conditions slow down and stay further back from other drivers a minimum of 4-5 seconds back is recommended. Telling someone your route and checking in with them on a regular basis will help add a second person capable of calling emergency services when your miss your check in time.

Snow plows are always on the go. Snow plows do drive at a slower pace in order to do their job properly therefore this tends to slow traffic making people want to pass. Passing a snow plow is dangerous as they tend to create a cloud of snow that may reduce visibility of oncoming traffic. Stay patient and wait snowplows are required to pull over every 10 kms or so to let traffic pass. The law dictates that you must slow to 60km/hr when passing snow plows as well as any other emergency service vehicles.

Adding extra weight to your vehicle is also a good idea to help in the winter months. By adding sand bags or salt bags to your vehicle your reducing your chances of your car tires loosing traction as its forcing the vehicle to dig into the surface more. Having the sand or salt in your vehicle also can help if you find that the vehicle is spinning and not moving. Pouring a little around the tires will help create traction to get your vehicle moving again.

Following all these precautions will help keep you moving and getting to and from your destination safely.