Be Prepared for Winter Roads

Laurie Bauer, CAIB | Business Development Manager, Orbit Insurance Services

When the temperature drops and the snow starts to fall, our roads become very dangerous. Some helpful tips to stay safe during your commute are being prepared for winter roads, adapting to the roads you’re travelling on, and being mindful of where you’re driving.

Be Prepared Before You Drive

• Use winter tires. Whether there’s fresh snow or black ice, winter tires help with braking and driving through the winter.
• Only use windshield washer fluid for -45 C weather. All-season windshield washer fluid can freeze and make driving very dangerous. Top up before long drives.
• Remove all snow and ice from your vehicle before driving. Having a full range of vision is crucial to being safe on the road.

Have a Plan for Hazardous Conditions

• Give yourself extra time for travel.
• Be adaptive, not reactive. If there is an excessive amount of snow on the road, slow down and avoid switching lanes or passing unnecessarily.
• Keep your distance from drivers ahead of you so you have enough time to brake.
• If you skid, remain calm, release the brake, and steer slowly in a safe direction; be mindful not to turn too hard to avoid spinning.

Be Mindful While Driving

• In areas where snowbanks could be blocking your vision, drive slowly and be patient; there could be pedestrians you might not see or children playing in the snow.
• Focus on the road and be alert. Distracted drivers are eight times more likely to be in an accident. Put the phone down and keep your eyes on the road.
• When driving behind snowplows, stay back, do not pass, and be patient. Let the snowplows make the roads safer for everyone.

In Case of Accident…

• Have a medical kit on hand to give you peace of mind when driving long distances.
• Keep your phone charged in case you need to call for help in an emergency.
• If needed, this QR ("scan me") will take you to some helpful guidelines for what to do after a collision.
• If you need to make a claim, contact an Orbit insurance broker. We’re here to help!