“Winter is officially here, so we all need to adjust our driving habits,” says Sgt. Kerry Bates, of the EPS Traffic Safety Unit. “Now is the time for Edmonton drivers to prepare to adapt their driving mindsets for road conditions that will undoubtedly become more challenging in the days and weeks ahead.”
With higher speeds and windswept road surfaces, city freeways including Anthony Henday Drive, Whitemud Drive and Yellowhead Trail, can quickly become dangerous when winter road conditions arrive.
Implementing some of the following driving habits can help keep you safe (AMA)
Scan the road ahead
In the city you want to look 12 to 15 seconds ahead (just over one city block). On the highway, look about 20-30 seconds ahead.
Look for black ice
Watch for black ice at temperatures between +4°C and -4°C, where the road surface ahead looks black and shiny. Most times, a driver can’t see black ice. As a general rule, if the pavement looks shiny and black instead of grey-white, slow down.
Know where ice builds up
Watch for ice build-up at intersections, bridge decks and ramps and always slow down before these icy areas.
Adjust your speed & spacing
Drive for the conditions. Winter road conditions can change very quickly, so drive proactively, reduce your speed, leave more space between you and the vehicle in front. The more conditions degrade, the slower you should go.
Turn on your lights
Snow and mud decrease your vehicle’s visibility. Make a habit of turning your lights during the day, and ensuring they are clean.
Be gentle
To maintain control of your vehicle, use gentle braking, steering and acceleration when driving on snow covered roads.
Use your brakes safely
Ignore what you’ve heard about pumping the brakes in slippery conditions. For vehicles with ABS brakes, use a firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal and don’t let up. For non-ABS vehicles, use a threshold braking technique. Brake to the point just before wheels lock up, and if they do start to, just ease up on brake slightly and reapply.
Watch what you wear
Winter clothes can be bulky and restrictive, which creates another potential distraction when you’re driving. Make sure your winter clothes aren’t hindering your driving performance.
Don’t use cruise control
Never use cruise control on wet or icy roads. Using cruise control when there is a build-up of water and ice can cause your vehicle to hydroplane (a loss of control due to a layer of water between your tires and the road). Remember, cruise control is designed for ideal road conditions.
Watch for flashing lights
Snowplows are equipped with flashing amber and red lights to make them more visible, so be aware flashing amber and red means snowplow ahead.
Don’t crowd the shoulder
Give emergency road crews room to work. Drivers should allow extra room on the road for snowplow and tow truck operators, as well as for paramedics, firefighters and law enforcement. Also remember that drivers must reduce speed to 60 km/h or the posted speed, whichever is lower, when passing emergency vehicles or tow trucks that are stopped with their lights flashing.
Check your route
Always check weather reports, city and highway road conditions before you leave home to ensure your routes are safe for passage.
Edmonton Police front counters are no longer processing collision reports. If you are involved in a serious collision (visit edmontonpolice.ca for specifics on reporting) within the City of Edmonton it must be reported at a Collision Reporting Centre.
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