It’s time to face the truth. Winter is here. And in Canada, winter means the ‘s-word’. Snow. Whether you’ve lived here for years or you are brand new to this climate, you might not know how to drive in the snow properly. You might even be afraid of it. Now is a good time to review winter driving safety tips. They could save lives.
Pay Attention as You Drive
Barrie Porter has had a 30-year career with the Toronto Transit Commission. A large part of his career was spent training, observing and evaluating our city’s bus drivers. Barrie has had a lot of time to observe his fellow drivers. In his opinion, the biggest year-round problem today is that “people are not very attentive“attentive” adj = always focusing, paying attention. They’re easily distracted“distracted” adj = not able to focus or concentrate, they take their eyes off the road, they don’t notice things.”
Whether we are distracted by something in our car or our thoughts are focused elsewhere, drivers need to pay closer attention while we drive. This means we cannot use our cell phones while driving. It’s illegal and extremely dangerous. We need to focus on the roads, drivers and pedestrians“pedestrians” noun = people walking outside around us, especially in winter conditions. Winter months are darker and more slippery. Our visibility is lower and our car’s ability to maneuver“maneuver” verb = move, shift position and stop is lower. It’s necessary to constantly scan“scan” verb = look quickly as we drive in these conditions.
Anticipate the Worst on Snowy Roads
While traveling over ice, snow or slush“slush” noun = wet snow, we need to expect that people near our car might not make the best decisions. Think back to your driver training and remember the expression “defensive driving”“defensive driving” noun phrase = driving while considering possible dangers on the road. This is the time of year to put that model into full effect.
Do not assume that the driver in the opposite lane will wait for you to cross the road before he turns left. He might not. The pedestrian should know not to run across the middle of the busy street, but there’s a chance she’ll try it. Do not think the drivers at that distant intersection“intersection” noun 
must see you coming. Chances are, their visibility is impaired“impaired” adj = not working properly. That truck driver may have enough time to brake“brake” verb = stop a car or truck, etc at the stop sign. Or he might skid right through. I’ve seen it happen at a school crossing. It’s terrifying!
Avoid accidents by driving more slowly. Give your vehicle“vehicle” noun = transportation – car, truck, bike, bus, etc extra time to stop or turn. Use your turn indicator“indicator” noun = signal early on. Check your blind spots“blind spots” noun = areas you cannot see carefully. And keep a good distance from other vehicles. Expect the worst, so drive your best.
Practice Driving in the Snow
If you are a nervous driver, your natural inclination“inclination” noun = habit, tendency might be to avoid winter driving. According to Barrie, “this particular kind of skill is built mostly on experience.” He suggests that people find time to get out there and practice their winter driving skills. That way they’ll be fully prepared.
During a quiet time of night, go to an empty parking lot or lonely street to get used to the feel of driving in winter conditions. Experiment: allow your car to skid and slide, then practice handling it. Consider taking along an experienced driver or paying an instructor to give you pointers“pointers” noun = advice, instructions. Find a YouTube video for ideas, then try them out (wait a while before attempting donuts“donuts” idiom = driving quickly in small circles, though!). When your skill increases, so will your confidence.
Prepare your Car for the Snow
There are many practical ways to get your car ready for the winter.
- Using snow tires“tires” noun
helps your vehicle gain traction“traction” noun = ability to safely grip the road, not just on snow and ice, but just in cold temperatures too. You might not get auto insurance without them. Or you may have to pay very high insurance rates. Winter tires are available both new and used. There is no excuse not to have them! - Don’t let the snow or ice on your car roof fly around. It could crash into the windshield“windshield” noun = front car window of the car behind you! Take the time to properly clean your entire car with a brush and scraper. Crank up“crank up” verb = turn up the defrost dial“defrost dial” noun = a control that removes thin ice and water off car windows to clear the condensation from inside your windows. Opening and closing your windows is not good enough!
- Are your windshield wipers“windshield wipers” noun =
in bad condition? Buy replacement blades. Good wipers are essential in bad weather. You can install the blades yourself. “Once you get the hang of it“get the hang of it” idiom = get used to it ,” Barrie says, “they’re easy to replace.” And don’t forget to fill up with antifreeze“antifreeze” noun = a liquid that does not freeze in winter temperatures while you’re at it! - Make sure you have quality headlights“headlights” noun =
. Barrie informs me that street lamps are dimmer“dimmer” adj = less bright now than when he was first driving. Take responsibility by doing all you can to make your car easy to see. - Stock your car with emergency items in case an accident should arise. Keep candles (for heat), a flashlight, jumper cables“jumper cables” noun
, a centre punch (to shatter a window), small shovel, and a bag of dirt (for traction) in your car. You never know when you might need them.
Learn How to Slide
Skidding on wet, powdery or icy roads can still happen even when we are cautious“cautious” adj = careful. So what should we do in that split second when we’ve lost control?
- First, do not panic!
- Second, fight against your automatic reaction to act severely“severely” adv = drastically. Take your foot off the gas, but do not stomp“stomp” verb = step hard with your foot suddenly and aggressively on the brake pedal. Try to brake lightly. Many cars have anti-lock brakes that are built for this situation.
- Do not twist the steering wheel hard in one direction. Since most cars have front wheel drive, Barrie suggests gently steering“steering” verb = turning, directing it in the direction you need to go. In the case of a rear wheel drive, gently steer the car toward the direction of the skid. And because every car model is slightly different, here’s another simple suggestion: see if you can find winter driving recommendations in your car manual“manual” noun = instruction book.
Give Yourself Extra Travel Time
Winter driving makes any trip take longer than usual. This is a big one for me. I tend to“tend to” verb = usually give myself the minimum amount of travel time to get anywhere. Allow yourself extra time to bundle up“bundle up” verb = put on warm clothes in your winter gear and thoroughly clean your car. Anticipate more traffic than usual. Take more time to drive carefully and defensively. When we aren’t pressed for time, our anxiety levels will remain low. And a calm driver is a good driver.
As the song goes, ‘the weather outside is frightful‘. But if you know what you’re doing on the roads, it can also be delightful“delightful” adj = wonderful, enjoyable. So, let it snow! And be safe out there.
Esther Penner is the creator of Open Up English. She has worked in the English language education industry for over 20 years. She has taught ESL, coordinated international student recruitment, arranged homestay accommodations and done contract writing for educational programming. Esther’s first teaching job in Japan inspired her love of travel and culture. She was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, where she lives with her husband, daughter and grumpy cat Henry.
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Do you have any winter driving tips or stories to share?
