Ontario Government Reminding Drivers to Stay Safe: Ontario is reminding drivers to keep safe this winter with a few tips that will help both experienced and new drivers reach their destinations safely.
Today, at a Canadian Tire Service Centre in Vaughan, Minister of Transportation, Steven Del Duca joined various road safety partners in reminding everyone how to stay safe during the winter season.
Plan ahead – plan your route and check weather and road conditions before you head out. Give yourself extra time for travel or wait until conditions improve. Call 511 or visit ontario.ca/511 for current highway conditions.
Be prepared – get your vehicle ready with a maintenance check-up. Have a winter driving survival kit in your vehicle and always be sure to clear all snow and ice from all windows, mirrors, headlights and rear lights.
Drive Safe – stay alert, avoid distractions, slow down, and stay in control. Adjust your driving to current road and weather conditions. Keep a safe following distance between you and the vehicle ahead. If you see a working snow plow, stay back and give it plenty of room to do its job.
Quick Facts
- About 1,000 snowplows and salt/sand spreaders are used to fight winter storms across 16,900 kilometres of provincial highway.
- Winter tires provide better traction, braking and handling during cold, snowy and icy conditions.
- Highways may close during severe weather – check the forecast before you travel.
- Snow plows begin working once two centimetres of snow has accumulated on the highway– stay back when you see a snow plow to let it do its job.
- Sand is used when salt becomes ineffective for melting ice and snow at temperatures below minus 12˚C.
Source: http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2014/12/winter-is-here—be-prepared-plan-ahead.html
