Driving in a winter wonderland
Oops we did it again.
It seems that every time we get hit with that first snowfall there are a record number of accidents. We had over 700 accidents last year as a result of the first snowfall and this year the total was around 700 as well.
Why are the numbers so high? We were given ample warning that the snow was coming. We also know that, at this time of year, driving conditions can deteriorate rapidly.
Is there anything we can do to lower these accident totals?
According to the OPP Highway Safety Division the number one thing we need to do when the weather turns nasty is SLOW DOWN and drive according to the conditions. Travelling at too fast a pace for the conditions is the number one cause of winter crashes.
Also, don’t get too close to the vehicle in front of you. Stopping distances are at least double on snowy roads, and even greater when the roads are icy.
And make sure your vehicle is winter road worthy. By this I mean make sure you have snow tires, that you have had a winter safety check and that all your fluids are topped up, especially your windshield washer fluid. Make sure you have a scraper in the car and take the time to do a proper job of removing the ice and snow from your windows before pulling out of your driveway. Being able to see properly is half the battle.
I would also suggest that, when faced with difficult driving conditions, you put the cell phone away and concentrate on the task at hand.
So what do you think could help reduce the number of accidents? If you have any suggestions or driving tips I would love to hear them.
December 19th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
I agree with you mainly but one of the major problems is that some drivers decide that the slower they go the safer it is. This is not necessarily correct and in wet conditions driving 20 k in a 50 k zone only means that a lot of drivers are held up as they try and proceed at a reasonable speed. Slower speeds do not mean almost stopping. If the weather is that bad, nobody should be driving. As well, slower drivers should get the hell out of the left lane if they want to piddle along.
January 3rd, 2008 at 8:35 am
I think a great problem with winter driving is the “nervous driver.” I agree that travelling too quickly on snowy/icy is inappropriate, but what about those drivers that travel WELL below a safe speed for the road conditions? I have long been frustrated by drivers that drive at a speed of 25 KM on a 60 KM road - in the LEFT lane. These people create hazards for others and should stay off the road. If you are not comfortable driving your car in snowy conditions, TAKE THE BUS!!!
March 9th, 2008 at 12:15 am
I think they should start making it mandatory for new drivers to complete a skid control test, along with their “G” glass driving tests.
I believe that everyone should get to know how their car handles in slippery conditions. If your car decides to fishtail you should know how to handle the situation properly without panic.
I think not only are people going to fast and following to close, they are also braking way to much unnecessarily.
When you brake you can end up putting your car into a slide. It’s like running down a sidewalk and then stopping suddenly, you end up sliding.
Take the same example, but instead add on 5,000 lbs of weight and brake, what happens? You slide…….
When you need your car to slow down, take your foot of the accelerator first. If your car still does not slow down after you have taken your foot off the accelerator, try taking it out of Overdrive.
I find allot of people in snow and icy weather driving in Overdrive. Why ??
In overdrive you are in a higher gear.
I also think allot of people need to read their car’s owners manual, and know how there car runs. There are allot of people out there that don’t even know that if you are doing 100/km. you can actually gear down an automatic car safetly and use it’s engine as an engine brake to slow down your car instead of hitting the brakes all the time.
People need to remember every time you hit the brake unnecessarily you cause a chain reaction behind you and you also delay traffic and cause people to become even more frustrated which causes even more problems.
Another problem that I have noticed all the time on our major hi-way’s is people forgetting what lane they are supposed to be in.
I have seen people enter onto the hi-way and head straight over to the centre lane and stay there as if it was a cruising lane. This is a passing lane NOT a cruising lane.
I think if everyone just paid attention to their surroundings and obliged by the laws and rules of our roads and hi-ways, it would be a much better drive for everyone with less accidents.