Tips for driving safely during a winter filled with messy road conditions

CTV’s Spencer Turcotte goes to the experts to find out how drivers can be proactive and avoid potential collisions during challenging conditions.

It’s been a winter of warnings, snow events and frigid temperatures, making for some slick conditions on the roads.

Drivers aren’t out of the woods yet, with more snow expected through Wednesday night.

There has been little relief from this stretch of extreme cold, heavy snow and sleet.

That’s prompting strong messages from police and driving instructors when it comes to driving in the winter mess.

Young Drivers of Canada instructor Keith Chin said he ensures his students conduct a circle check of the vehicle before a lesson begins, especially when there is snow and ice buildup.

“Look around, make sure your windshield and your roof is ice or snow-free,” said Chin.

This year’s weather has made things especially tricky.

“We’ve been getting a lot of cancellations of road tests, which is a disappointment for a lot of students because they want to get their license before the spring,” Chin said.

When snow and freezing rain starts to fall, there is one thing that Chin keeps at the top of his list to remind students of:

“We need to slow our speed down,” Chin said. “I would say much lower, like five to 10 kilometres lower. Again, it depends on the road conditions.”

He also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a safe following distance in slick conditions because the time it takes for a vehicle to stop increases.

“We try to keep at least a three or four second distance from the car in front of us, especially when we’re coming into an intersection where we’re slowing down,” said Chin.

It’s something Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Ed Sanchuk said drivers were not doing on Wednesday as roads began getting messy.

“People are again riding each other’s bumpers. They’re trying to pass unsafely. Listen, if you want to end up in a ditch or become involved in a crash, that’s a good way to do that,” said Sanchuk.

He didn’t mince words as he explained the factors contributing to crashes across southern Ontario. He urged drivers to practice defensive driving, and reviewed some tips on how to safely escape a skid.

“Take your foot off the gas pedal. Steer yourself out of that slide and just take your time,” said Sanchuk. “Don’t stare at the ditch. Don’t stare anywhere else except where you want to go.”

Sanchuk added it’s also a great idea to pack an emergency kit in the event of a break down or crash.

Both police and Young Drivers of Canada emphasized that it’s better to take your time in order to get to your destination safely, rather than not get there at all.