Top Safety Tips for Winter Driving and Walking
The following are tips and best practices to stay safe this winter from Greg Aubey, Director of Safety for Medavie Health Services.
January 16, 2024
Top Safety Tips for Winter Driving and Walking
The following are tips and best practices to stay safe this winter from Greg Aubey, Director of Safety for Medavie Health Services.
January 16, 2024
Preparing for winter
- Keep these items in your vehicle: Ice scraper and snow brush, first aid kit, warm/dry blanket, a flashlight (with batteries), phone charger (if you have a cellular phone).
- Ensure your vehicle is equipped with winter windshield washer fluid, and that windshield wipers are in good working order.
- Equip your vehicle with winter-rated tires.
Driving
- Plan Your Route: Follow weather forecasts, leaving extra time for travel in the event that road conditions are affected by weather. Do not rush and be safe.
- See and Be Seen: Remember to remove all snow from your vehicle’s hood, roof, trunk, lights (brake lights, signal lights, and head lights), windows, side mirrors, and entry/exit points before each trip allowing extra time to do so. Also ensure that you clear all windows of frost and fog.
- Keep your phone fully charged.
Driving
- Plan Your Route: Follow weather forecasts, leaving extra time for travel in the event that road conditions are affected by weather. Do not rush and be safe.
- See and Be Seen: Remember to remove all snow from your vehicle’s hood, roof, trunk, lights (brake lights, signal lights, and head lights), windows, side mirrors, and entry/exit points before each trip allowing extra time to do so. Also ensure that you clear all windows of frost and fog.
- Keep your phone fully charged.
- Distractions: At 100 km/hour, a vehicle can travel over 55 meters (approximately 182 feet) in just two seconds. Keep your eyes on the road and minimize distractions while you drive.
- Slow down and adjust your driving. Anticipate black ice on bridges, overpasses and low-lying areas.
- Depending on the road conditions, normal spacing between vehicles should be doubled or tripled. Adjust your driving accordingly.
- Other drivers also require additional reaction time when road conditions are poor, so be sure you are adjusting your driving for this, as well.
Walking
- Watch for wet and slippery surfaces, such as wet leaves, icy and snow-covered surfaces.
- Ensure you have proper footwear for winter conditions.
- Be sure to use handrails where available.
- When the ground is icy and slippery, take small steps (shuffle your feet) and slow down.
- Look for hazards in your path.
- Do not carry large or bulky items that may affect your balance.
- Report wet and slippery areas in buildings to protect others.
Walking
- Watch for wet and slippery surfaces, such as wet leaves, icy and snow-covered surfaces.
- Ensure you have proper footwear for winter conditions.
- Be sure to use handrails where available.
- When the ground is icy and slippery, take small steps (shuffle your feet) and slow down.
- Look for hazards in your path.
- Do not carry large or bulky items that may affect your balance.
- Report wet and slippery areas in buildings to protect others.
Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits and administers federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. We are in the...