Winter Driving Safety Tips for Albertans

Driving demands alertness and care no matter when you are doing it, but winter conditions mean you have to be particularly careful. Icy roads and low visibility due to snowstorms and long sunless hours are among the driving hazards that come with the onset of cold weather. In terms of holidays, the highest total number of collisions as well as the most injuries occurred during the winter season.

The consequences of a car accident can be catastrophic. The latest reports from the Government of Alberta showed that 10% caused a non-fatal injury and 0.2% caused one or more people to die. As winter ramps up in Alberta, consider these tips courtesy of the Alberta Motor Association (AMA) to improve your safety on the road. They could protect you and your loved ones. In addition, a little preparation and care when driving in winter might prevent you from being held liable in a car accident, piling financial pain and stress on top of any physical injuries you might suffer.

Preparation for winter driving in Alberta

Alberta does not have a law demanding motorists change over to winter-rated tires by a certain date. Nevertheless, winter tires, along with studs and even snow chains, will greatly improve traction and reduce your stopping time on cold, icy, and snowy or slushy roads.

Here are some more steps you can take to prepare for winter driving in Alberta:

• Check your tire pressure and top up if needed. Generally speaking, tires lose a pound per square inch of pressure for every 5 degrees Celsius that the temperature drops.
• Carry an emergency kit to help keep you safe in case of a breakdown. Some supplies you may wish to include are a flashlight, warm clothing and/or blankets, food and water, caution triangles, gloves, pen and paper (to take notes and other drivers’ information in case of an accident) and a shovel.
• Carry de-icing equipment (such as a scraper) and clear off your car of any snow or ice that may block your line of sight before starting your drive.
• In temperatures of -15 C and below, warm up your car by plugging in your block heater (if you have one) for at least four hours. Otherwise, using synthetic oil can help the engine to turn over.
• Check your battery. If you have any doubts about your battery’s health, consider finding an alternate form of transportation in case your vehicle stalls.
• Keep your gas tank at least half-full and consider adding antifreeze to your gas line.

It’s always best to be prepared.

Things to consider while driving during treacherous winter conditions

Even though bitter weather and relatively poor roads are by and large an annual fact of life for Albertans, adapting to such conditions each winter remains a challenge. December is typically the month when the most vehicle accidents occur, by a significant margin. This was again the case in 2021, when a little more than 14% of all reported crashes occurred in December.

Winter brings with it numerous driving hazards. Here are additional tips to consider while you’re driving on the road.

• Once you are on your way, maintain a safe following distance behind any vehicles in front of you, generally about four to six seconds in snowy or icy conditions. This will allow you more time to adjust your driving (speed, direction, etc.) if necessary. Following too closely contributed to 30% of Alberta car crashes resulting in injuries or fatalities in 2021.
• Slow down for wet roads, snow, low light, and other similar hazards.
• If you are involved in an accident or experience a breakdown, get your vehicle off the road as much as possible. Find shelter in a warm place if it is very cold outside. It is not safe to shelter from the cold in an unheated car.
• Most importantly – do not drive when you’re sleepy or if you’ve consumed any alcohol or cannabis. Driving under the influence is never OK.

Contact Preszler Injury Lawyers if you were in a winter motor vehicle accident in Alberta

Although prevention and caution can make you safer on the road, you may nevertheless experience a vehicle collision. If you are involved in a winter motor vehicle accident, we encourage you to call our Calgary car accident lawyers. Our team is available 24/7 to answer your legal questions and can assist you in seeking fair compensation from at-fault drivers following a crash.

Call us at 1-888-494-7191 to get started. We look forward to your call.