Winter weather can make the roads a challenge for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists alike. | PHOTO: VENRICK AZCUETA/UNSPLASH
Navigating Winter Safely
Tips to help drivers, pedestrians and cyclists prepare for safer travel this season.
By Lisa Gordon
All of the elements that you experience throughout winter in Ontario — snow, sleet, ice and freezing temperatures — can make it more challenging to get from A to B. As you prepare for the season ahead, these recommendations will help you drive, walk and cycle more safely.
Winter driving
As a motorist, you face reduced visibility and slick conditions while sharing the road with snow removal equipment. Your best safety tip for driving this season is to ensure that your vehicle is winter ready. That means making sure your vehicle is in good working order, including brakes and brake pads. You’ll be relying on them more with the added time it takes to slow down on slippery roads. Next, invest in four winter tires and get them installed — they’re designed to handle cold temperatures, snow and ice. A car battery has a lifespan of three to five years. If you’re approaching that window, you should have it tested to see if it’s strong enough to last through winter, and replace it if it’s in danger of failing. Ensure that your lights, heating/defrost system and coolant levels are all optimal; and check your wiper blades for signs of wear and cracking. On a wet day, where oily road grime gets sprayed on your windshield by the cars in front of you, you can lose visibility quickly if they fail. Keeping your gas tank at least half full is a great safety measure — if you ever have to stop for a road closure or a mechanical issue, you’ll need to keep the engine running for an extended period in order to stay warm. Warming up your car will help with defrosting the windows and allow the oil to circulate better, as it can thicken from sitting in cold temperatures. That layer of snow blanketing your vehicle can be a problem when you drive and should be removed — and not just from the windshield. All snow and ice from front to back — including on the roof, trunk, hood and lights — should be brushed off. You want to avoid having chunks of snow loosening while you drive and sliding down to obscure your vision on either the front or back window. It’s also safer for drivers behind you, as loose snow and ice breaking off can create a dangerous driving situation for them.
When roads may be slippery, it’s best to reduce speed and leave more space between your car and the car ahead. | ILLUSTRATION: FLATVECTORS/ADOBE STOCK
It’s important to be aware of black ice when the temperature is near freezing or the surface ahead looks glossy or darker than usual. Black ice is a thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on pavement, often mistaken for wet asphalt, that can cause your car to lose traction and slide. As we cover in Winter Driving Tips to Get Your Car Road Ready, consider keeping an emergency kit in your car, with essentials such as a flashlight, first aid supplies, a blanket, snacks and booster cables. While we hope never to be delayed by a road closure or mechanical issue in winter, it can happen. Having these items on hand can help you stay safer and more comfortable while you wait. No matter your destination, give yourself extra time to get there. Posted speed limits reflect ideal conditions, so a slower pace is often the safer choice when snow and ice are on the road. Winter weather can also change how we share the road. Snowbanks can push pedestrians and cyclists farther into the roadway, while piles of snow at crosswalks and intersections can obscure your view of people stepping out. Snow accumulation can also narrow curb lanes, leaving cyclists with less room to ride. Staying alert and giving everyone plenty of distance helps keep the road safer for all who use it. Stopping distances increase on snow and ice, making it especially important to allow extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you. As you approach busy intersections and school safety zones, be prepared for traffic lights to change and children to cross unexpectedly. Anticipating these situations gives you more time to react and stop safely. Snow removal vehicles may also slow you down, so be patient and stay well back if it isn’t safe to pass. Avoid passing snowplows working in a staggered formation across multiple lanes. Adopting these winter driving tips will help ensure a safer, smoother journey.
Walking in winter
It’s wet, it’s slippery, and unshovelled snow can be unstable. Being a pedestrian can have its challenges in the winter. It gets dark earlier — by late afternoon in December — so it’s important to keep walking safety top of mind.
Perhaps the most important rule is “see and be seen.” Wear light-coloured or reflective items so drivers can easily spot you on the sidewalk or when you’re crossing the street. You can also buy reflective leashes, coats and collars for your pets and carry clip-on safety lights.
Pay attention to your surroundings. While winter means bulky coats, hats and scarves, your clothing shouldn’t obstruct your view. Save the texting for later so you can have your hands free and watch the conditions ahead. Use designated crosswalks, make eye contact with drivers and cyclists, and wait for traffic to come to a complete stop before crossing the street. When navigating exterior or exposed stairs, take it slow. Use the handrail, and with each step, make sure your foot is planted firmly before putting your weight down.
Before crossing the street, be sure that cars have come to a complete stop and that drivers can see you. | ILLUSTRATION: FLATVECTORS/ADOBE STOCK
When cycling, ride on well-travelled paths and watch out for slippery patches of black ice. | ILLUSTRATION: FLATVECTORS/ADOBE STOCK
Winter cycling
Many of the same tips apply to cycling during the winter months. Planning ahead makes for a smoother ride, so wear winter bike gear that improves your visibility while keeping you warm and dry. Equip your bicycle with reflective tape and bright LEDs: white on the front and red on the back, as stipulated in the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. To winterize your bicycle, reduce your tire pressure slightly, adjust your fenders to allow for snow buildup and give your bike a thorough tune-up before the first frost. This will include adjusting the brakes, tuning the gears, truing the wheels, cleaning and lubricating the chain, tightening bolts, ensuring the handlebars and stem are torqued properly, making sure the bearings are in good shape and inspecting the tires.
It can be challenging to cycle through a winter wonderland, no matter how beautiful, so adjust your route to take roadways that tend to be plowed and salted. Black ice can prove treacherous for cyclists as well as drivers. Try to ride on well-travelled routes, and remember that bridges and ramps often freeze before roads do, because they’re exposed to cold air above and below, while roads benefit from heat retained in the ground.
Though winter has its challenges, it’s a beautiful season, and there are many great reasons to get outdoors and enjoy fresh air and snow-covered landscapes all season long. Of course, use your judgment, and when the weather is at its worst, it may just be safest to stay home and get cozy if you can. CAA
Related stories
Busting 4 Common Winter Tire Myths
How to Keep Your Pet Protected in Cold Weather
Road Safety Tips to Keep Top of Mind This Winter