Winter driving safety tips you should be aware of in Canada

Driving in Canada during the winter season can be very difficult because of the freezing climate. It has never been an easy task to take on the roads during winters in Canada. There are plenty of problems that can arise due to the icy temperature. Problems like the failure of the vehicle, engines not working correctly, tires losing grip from the ground, road blockage due to blizzards are prevalent in the winters in Canada. There are some major safety features that you must ensure in the winter season specifically to drive safe and be prepared for any trouble. Here are some crucial winter driving safety tips that you should be aware of in Canada:

Get your vehicles thoroughly inspected before the winter season arrives

The extreme climate can cause the failure of multiple parts of the vehicle. It is vital to get your vehicle inspected and fixed with the best services before winter hits your car hard. To avoid the rush during winters, it is advisable to go well before the season to a licensed facility for the vehicle winterization inspection. The trained professionals check all the systems individually and ensure that no critical component is missing, which are helpful during the winter seasons. The following parts are given high priorities in the inspection and maintenance process:

• Battery: The vehicle needs a fully charged and warm battery to start the engine. It is very important to clean up the battery posts and check the charging capability of the battery. If the battery is old or has charging issues, you must replace it with a new functional battery.
• Lights: The headlights must be bright and glow with the required intensity. A faded headlight can lead to problems with invisibility and is very prone to cause accidents. Check the lights correctly and if needed, get new and strong headlights to provide a clear vision during winters.
• Brakes– Highly trained mechanics must inspect brakes because the chances of brake failures are high in such extreme weather conditions. The brakes might need proper lubrication from time to time because the climate contracts the metals and levers that are the operational units of the braking mechanism and can cause an unexpected response in pulling the brake.
• Heating and cooling system: The radiator hoses and drive belts must be checked for leaks. The radiator cap, water pump, and thermostat must be properly working. The heater and defrost should be tested appropriately.
• Windshield wipers: The wipers must be replaced with special wipers designed for the winter seasons. The winter season wipers have a broader length and cover a large sweeping area with more torque which helps them to wipe down heavy amounts of snow from the windshields.
• Tires: Get new tires designed for winters to hold a superior grip on the road. The standard summer tires are affected by the temperature and lose their grip. The winter tires have more giant treads that firmly hold the vehicle to the ground and provide a better frictional grip.

 

Watch the winter weather Conditions

It is very wise and prudent to look at the weather report before driving. The news forecasts the daily prediction of the weather conditions, which you can use in determining when it is safe to drive or not. In cases of blizzards and snow slides, you must stay indoors and avoid driving unless it is extremely important. Even if you have to drive in such conditions, you can already be prepared for the weather conditions.

• Follow the driving etiquette and safety measures while driving.

Drive the vehicle following all safety measures and rules of driving. Sit in the correct posture and be alert when in the driving seat.

Always be sober while driving and ensure that everyone has the seatbelts appropriately tied when you are in the vehicle.

• Ensure proper visibility to avoid any accidents.

Before driving, it is imperative to clear up the snow from the vehicle. Never drive a vehicle with the roof or windshield covered in snow because that will decrease the visibility of your vehicle and can cause accidents. Use strong headlights and adequately utilize the horn to alert other drivers on the road.

• Stick to the main road and speed limits.

Never drive your vehicle above the denoted speed at a particular place. High speed can cause a loss of control of the vehicle and cause an accident. This is also one of the important winter driving safety tips.

It is advisable to follow the main roads and not take any shortcuts because you might get stuck in the snow following other directions. The government takes the main roads so that the snow is swept from them regularly.

• Be prepared for emergencies.

Do not talk and drive. Keep your phone fully charged in case there is an emergency. Keep the *911 in an operational mode for emergency access during any emergency. You can also equip your car with a citizen’s band radio if there are a lot of cellular problems in your area and network responses are poor.

Get winter driving safety tips from Driving Professionals

There are professional courses that can help you understand the risk and precautions of driving in winter. It is advisable to take such courses and fully know the driving conditions during the winter season. These courses are cost-effective and provide proper training for handling your vehicle during winters in Canada. The professional Instructors from Driving School Calgary can help you understand more about your vehicle’s specifications and what are the modifications it will require when the winter season comes. Taking this course is very useful since it prepares you for all the problems in winter.

These are the foremost winter driving safety tips that you should know while driving your vehicle during the Winters in Canada. Your well-being is in your hands, so always stay alert and do not make any silly decisions when you are driving on the roads of Canada. By merely following the tips mentioned earlier, you can indeed have healthy and safe winter rides.