Now that it’s Christmas time, people will be driving all over the province and country to see their families.
Since it’s winter, Brian Smiley with MPI says it’s very important motorists drive to the road conditions.
“If we have snow out there and ice-covered roadways, you need to reduce your speed, otherwise driving to road condition. Speed limits are set for ideal road conditions, I think we would all agree in the Dauphin, Parkland area, that icy roads, blowing snow, blizzard-like conditions are far from ideal. So, slow down and drive to the road conditions.”
Smiley says using cruise control in the winter is risky.
“Because if you’re driving along at a speed and all of a sudden you come across black ice your cruise control is activated, you’re not able to reduce your speed quickly, you have to touch your break to de-activate or turn it off, so in many cases, using cruise control can possibly put you at risk, if you’re on icy winter type roads.”
Before leaving, Smiley says your vehicle should be in good running order, make sure you’re topped up on anti-freeze and windshield washer fluid, make sure your tires have good tread, look into the winter tire program if you don’t have winter tires, and make sure your windshield wipers are in good running over.
Other things Smiley suggests is if you’re planning a long road trip in the winter, tell people where you’re going and when you’re arriving if you break down in the ditch, don’t leave your vehicle, eventually, someone will find you, and if you stay in your vehicle it will provide enough warmth to survive the night.
