Winter Driving Safety Tips

Winter weather conditions pose unique challenges and safety risks for many Nova Scotia drivers. The Canadian Automotive Association (CAA) partnered with Transport Canada and released a brochure listing the top 10 winter driving safety tips drivers need to know:

1. Get your vehicle ready for winter in the fall.
2. Install four matching winter tires.
3. Pack an emergency kit.
4. Learn and practice winter driving techniques before you need them.
5. Plan your trip, check road and weather conditions.
6. Remove all snow from your vehicle before each trip.
7. Give yourself extra travel time in bad weather.
8. Avoid using overdrive and cruise control on slippery roads.
9. Travel with a fully charged cell phone.
10. SLOW DOWN, wear your seatbelt, be alert, well rested, and sober.

Driving teacher, Tom Furlong, who has been teaching people to drive for 38 years, offers these crucial tips on how to navigate icy and snow-covered roads:

1. Ask yourself, should I be driving in these conditions?
2. Never rush — slow down and give yourself enough time to get to your destination.
3. In the winter, don't drive like it's summer — accelerating hard, braking late, and steering quickly may put drivers at risk during the slippery winter months.
4. Keep it smooth — smooth acceleration, braking, and steering gives you better control.
5. Know what other drivers are up to — frequently checking mirrors and blind spots will give you a better sense of what other drivers are doing. This will also give drivers a chance to get out of the way of someone who may not be in control of their vehicle.

At Eisenhauer Insurance Inc., we want to help Nova Scotia motorists prevent problems before they occur. Remember to always make your vehicles winter-ready, know how to prepare for a drive in bad weather, and what to pack in a winter survival kit.In addition to your winter survival kit, here's a list of materials you should keep in the car in winter months:

• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Booster cables
• Extra clothing and footwear
• Blankets and sleeping bags
• Fully charged smart phone
• Windshield washer fluid
• Bottled water (unfrozen)
• Granola or energy bars

With more than 30 years in the insurance business in Canada, Eisenhauer Insurance Inc. has gained a thorough understanding of which insurance companies have the most knowledgeable staff and offer the best options for you.

Call us for a quote today at 902-454-5888 or Toll Free at 1-800-303-9684.

Return to main blog page