6 Things You Can Do to Stay Safe While Winter Driving

November 04, 2021, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Winter is on its way, and we’ve had our first dusting of snow and frost in the Region. Roads can be particularly slippery in the mornings as we face the double jeopardy of leaves on the road and black ice or moisture. Every year we see a rash of car accidents in these first few snowfalls. 

6 Tips to Stay Safe While Driving in Winter

1. Use Snow Tires – I wrote about them earlier this week. You can check out that post here. They work much better on the ice and snow to shorten stopping distances and keep you in better control. They also save money in the long run.

2. Check your tire pressure. The pressure will change as the temperatures drop and rise and this also diminishes your performance. It can lead to reduced gas efficiency and premature wear and tear as well.

3. Make sure you have a good snow brush/ice scraper (your credit card doesn’t count) and use it to clear your car of all the ice and snow. It will improve your safety by allowing you to see clearly out the windows and prevent ice and snow from blowing off your car and blinding cars behind you.

4. Slow down. Slow down. Just Slow down on ice- and snow-covered roads. Really, slow down.

5. Keep a winter survival kit in your car. Customize this kit if you spend a lot of time driving in remote/rural or isolated areas to account for longer delays. You may not need it but if you do it is irreplaceable. Items to include:

   1. Jumper cables
   2. Tow rope
   3. Sand/salt/cat litter
   4. Shovel
   5. Roadside flares
   6. Blanket
   7. Hat and gloves and High viz vest
   8. De-icer
   9. Water, snack food, first aid kit, a candle and cup for melting snow
   10. Multitool
   11. Flashlight
   12. Cell phone charger

6. Check and replace your wiper blades and car battery if it isn’t holding the charge.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.