Winter hosts a lot of fun and great outdoor activities in Canada. However, driving in winter requires proper precautions and preparations. After all, driving in the snow is way different than driving in normal sunny days. Driving a recreational vehicle in winter is not that scary as newbies thought it would be. A common sense and extra road precautions is all you need for a satisfying road trip.
Before the trip, listen to the radio and check the internet for some weather advisories. It is good to be updated with the latest weather news beforehand. If a blizzard or storm is coming you might want to consider delaying your trip a bit until the weather has become reasonable for you to drive. Know your route. Check for updates regarding an impending closed roads information. A trip to a mechanical expert is a must. Check for the vehicle’s mechanical and physical aspect to make sure that it can withstand the cold climate. Safe winter driving starts with the vehicle itself. Getting a set of winter tires is a good practice. Check for the wiper, fluids, brakes, fuel must be adequately full, anti-freeze, exhaust system, defrosters, heaters, and other technical parts of the vehicle. While on the road, be wary of the vehicles in front of you. Always maintain a proper distance from other vehicles. To avoid unexpected skid, avoid any brusque maneuver. Drive smoothly and carefully. Skidding occurs when the force applied on the deck of the vehicle exceeds tire traction. Tires offer the most power to the road surface just before they break away. If a mechanical failure happens, slowly drive the vehicle off the road for your own safety. Never park your vehicle in the middle of a busy road.
Bring an emergency bag. A first aid kit is a must to bring for every travel. You may also consider bringing winter equipment to like a windshield scraper and a small broom or shovel for snow removal. Bring fliers, flashlight, extra cellphone battery, tow cables, rope, scrapers and flares. You may also consider bringing a bag of sand to add friction to an ultra slippery roads, an extra spare tires, jack and wrench.
Before you decided to drive down the snowy lanes, make sure that you have a complete list of emergency phone numbers just in case you get stranded or your vehicle got stuck in nowhere. Use emergency flares or light to call attention for help. Don’t Panic! In case of emergency road failure always stay inside your car while waiting for the help. You may want to leave the signal lights on. Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning. If you’re really tired stop and take a rest. Don’t pushed yourself if you think your health condition can affect your driving. Lastly, make sure that you have a list of emergency phone numbers in case any untoward event may happen. Driving in Winter is not that scary when you know how to take extra precautions while on the road.